[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Broadband Fiasco Grows - When Will Labor Come Clean?_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

GOVERNMENT MUST COME CLEAN ON BROADBAND TIMEFRAME

Investors and Consumers Deserve Clarity

Nick McKim MP
Greens Opposition Leader

Wednesday, 5 November 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Bartlett government to come
clean on the timeframe by which the Basslink fibre-optic cable will be
available, following industry reports that it will not be available for
commercial operation until May next year, reports that contradict recent
statements by the Treasurer

Greens Opposition Leader Nick McKim MP said that the May 2009 start-date
conflicts with a statement that the Treasurer Michael Aird made to
Parliament, that he is "confident" of a speedy resolution to the
impasse.

"Broadband investors and consumers deserve clarity as to when they can
expect the Basslink fibre-optic cable to be operational and to provide
competition with Telstra," Mr McKim said.

"If reports are accurate that the industry is being told that the cable
will not be operational until May next year, a further wait of six
months, then we deserve to know that news now."

"It is unacceptable for the Bartlett government to keep sending out
mixed messages regarding this important aspect of Tasmania's
infrastructure, and they must be open with the community about the true
state of play regarding the fibre-optic cable's readiness."

"This is definitely not the behaviour of a 'connected' government."




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