Broadband a big ticket item in Aust govt budget
Posted in: Government & Policy at 09/05/2008 03:30
The Australian Government's national broadband network will be one of the key elements in the budget to be delivered next week reports Australian IT.
The proposed high speed national network is to provide services to 98 per cent of the population using A$4.7 billion of government funding.
"[A] much cleaner world where ICT had drastically reduced energy consumption, improved public transport, and even removed the need for work-related travel" are benefits Senator Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, cited in a speech to the Sydney Institute last week for the government placing the national broadband network as a priority.
"The answer is that how we manage the Digital Economy will have a profound effect on our economic performance and the lives of all Australians," Senator Conroy continued.
"Our future prosperity will be bound to the growth of the digital economy.
"In essence, the 'Digital Economy' encapsulates the framework within which increasing levels of economic activity and social interaction will take place into the future.
The government's vision for Australia's transition to the digital economy is based on a number of policy principle the Senator said. These include that:
"Australians should have access to the best infrastructure and services possible in order to maximise the potential benefits from the transition to the Digital Economy.
"Connectivity should be available to all Australians irrespective of where they choose to live or work.
"And the affordability of services - including for disadvantaged members of our society - is a critical element of the equation, and an important policy focus for Government."
Senator Conroy's speech is available from his website at www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/speeches/2008/010 while the Australian IT article is available from www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,23664040-15306,00.html.
