The Federal Opposition says the Government's package to upgrade
telecommunications services in regional areas is inadequate.
Federal Communications Minister Senator Helen Coonan yesterday
announced that most of the $1.1 billion package will go towards
expanding broadband services in rural and remote areas.
An additional $30 million will be used to improve mobile coverage.
Opposition communications spokesman Stephen Conroy says it is not
nearly enough.
"The Government is putting in place a band-aid program based over
four years, which will see as little as $200-250 million spent a
year," he said.
"Telstra have themselves said we need $5 billion worth of serious
infrastructure - we don't need these band-aid solutions."
Mr Conroy says five times that amount is needed to bring Australia's
broadband services up to scratch.
"Many call it fraud-band, because it is such a poor quality service
compared with the rest of the world, and no amount of dissembling by
Helen Coonan or $30 million here or there, or $800 million spent over
four years, can disguise that fact," he said.
"The Government and Telstra have sat back and allowed Australia to
slip behind."
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