[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Fibre Contract Welcome - But Uncertainty Remains over Operational Date_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

BASSLINK FIBRE CONTRACT FINALLY SIGNED

But No Certainty on Cable Lighting Date

Nick McKim MP
Greens Opposition Leader

Monday, 10 November 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today said that the announcement that a contract
has finally been signed to commercialise the Basslink fibre optic cable
is good news for Tasmania, but called on Premier David Bartlett to
indicate when Tasmanians could expect that the cable would be
operational.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP, who has been campaigning to have the cable
commercialised, said that he hoped that today's signing would encourage
Telstra to immediately drop its Bass Strait backhaul rates. 

"This announcement is good news, but broadband users and potential
investors would like to know exactly when the Basslink fibre will be lit
as Telstra will have no choice but to drop its rates from that date."

"There are many technical challenges still to be overcome, but today's
signing is a welcome breakthrough delivered by Aurora."

"Today's signing is certainly good news, but we should not lose sight of
the fact that it was Labor's continual bungling which caused the lengthy
delays in delivering this welcome, but long overdue, outcome."





Any opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily the Parliament of Tasmania. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or person responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.


Warning: Computer viruses may be transmitted or downloaded onto any computer system via e-mail communication. It is the recipient's responsibility to take appropriate action to prevent computer viruses being transmitted In this way. Accordingly the Parliament of Tasmania disclaim all responsibility which arises directly or indirectly from such transmission of computer viruses.