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Nats Support Howard's Second-class Broadband Service: Rowe. Jane Rowe ALP candidate for Gippsland Jane Rowe slammed Federal Minister Peter McGauran and the Howard Coalition Givernment’s broadband announcement saying it will deliver a second-class service for local families and ensure Gippsland’s place as a Broadband backwater. By Jane Rowe - 20th November 2007 - Back to News
NATS SUPPORT HOWARDS SECOND CLASS BROADBAND SERVICE
Federal Labor Candidate for Gippsland Jane Rowe today slammed Minister Peter
McGauran and the Howard Coalition Governments broadband announcement saying it
will deliver a second-class service for local families and ensure Gippslands place as a
Broadband backwater.
"Minister McGauran and the Howard Coalition Government are treating Gippsland families
and business as second class citizens," Jane Rowe said.
"The Coalitions cobbled together pla n only delivers high-speed fibre networks in the inner
areas of five major capital cities, leaving students and small business operators in
communities like Churchill and Yarram, [Maffra, Heyfield and Stratford] [Omeo, Lakes
Entrance and Paynesville] to struggle with an inferior wireless service.
Unlike Federal Labors high-speed fibre to the node National Broadband Network - which
will roll out to 98 per cent of Australians - wireless broadband suffers from a range of
technical problems.
"Wireless isnt up to the job and is clearly the bridesmaid to fibre optic, its that simple,"
Jane Rowe said.
"If wireless was such a great service why isnt Minister McGauran and the Coalition using it
in the inner cities, we know in our topography in Gippsland that mobile phones fail in so
many areas.
"The fact is that the performance and reliability of wireless suffers because of distance,
weather, hilly geography and congestion problems with the number of people using the
service at any one time.
Jane Rowe said "M inister McGauran and the Howard Coalition Government had been
dragged kicking and screaming into the broadband debate because an election is just
three months away and I have no doubt they will now roll out a taxpayer funded glossy
information pack to try and convince Gippsland and its peoples that they are getting a
good deal "
This is the 18 th time the Howard Coalition Government have claimed they are going to fix
Australias broadband problems and we know their record at the moment - none for 17,"
Jane Rowe said.
Labors $4.7 billion fibre to the node National Broadband Network will deliver high speed
broadband to 98 per cent of Australian homes and businesses.
"This will mean internet services up to 40 times faster than most current speeds in towns
like Traralgon and Morwell [Maffra and Rosedale] [Omeo, Orbost and Bairnsdale],"
Jane Rowe said.
"This means business, education, communication and household services on the Internet -
including entertainment - will happen in „real time right across Gippsland whether it be a
small or large town." said Jane Rowe.
END
Media Contact: Jane Rowe 0424 157 584
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: howardw@aapt.net.au

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Melina Bath criticised Agriculture Minister Ros Spence for refusing to advocate for Gippsland farmers, citing VFF survey results showing overwhelming concern over new taxes and Labor's disregard for regional agriculture. - Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition. - Martin Cameron urges Energy Minister to lift outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon
Nationals MP Martin Cameron criticised Minister Lily D'Ambrosio for refusing to review outdated coal overlays blocking 2000 new homes in Traralgon, despite studies confirming land stability for development. - Tim Bull claims Environment Minister misled contractors, as DEECA contracts may reduce existing external panel work
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull accused the Allan Labor Government of cutting fire mitigation work for contractors, misleading them on funding, and failing to maintain promised work volumes across East Gippsland. - Darren Chester meets new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss future opportunities for East Gippsland Healthcare
Darren Chester met new BRHS CEO Peter Abraham to discuss healthcare challenges, commend local innovations improving patient care, and strengthen collaboration to deliver high-quality, accessible health services across East Gippsland. - East Gippsland Council adopts 2024-25 Annual Report, highlighting achievements, advocacy, investment, and community-focused service delivery
East Gippsland Shire Council has adopted its 2024-25 Annual Report, highlighting achievements in service delivery, infrastructure, advocacy, bushfire recovery, and community resilience while addressing cost-of-living and housing challenges. - Melina Bath encourages increased funding for regional palliative care, ensuring dignity and support statewide
Melina Bath warned underfunded regional palliative care forces terminally ill Victorians into hospitals instead of home, calling for urgent investment to ensure dignity, support, and equal access across eastern Victoria. - Melina Bath warns rising crime under Labor threatens community safety, as offences increase, calling for stronger police support and tougher laws
Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath warns crime rose 12.7% to 640,860 under Labor, with reduced police funding and station hours leaving Victorians unsafe, calling for stronger laws and police support. - Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades boost tourism, safety, and local businesses with $3.8M government support
Bruthen and Buchan town centre upgrades, supported by $3.8 million government funding, improve safety, accessibility, tourism, and local business, while celebrating Indigenous culture and supporting bushfire-affected communities. - Darren Chester confronts Agriculture Minister over European deal, but she won’t call it fair
The Albanese government’s EU free trade deal has been widely criticised by farmers and industry bodies for weak market access, unfair concessions, and restrictions harming dairy, red meat, and wine sectors. - Coalition and crossbench Senators reject Albanese government’s Defence Honours Bill, citing consultation failures, appeal rights removal
Coalition and crossbench Senators oppose the Albanese government’s Defence Honours Bill, citing lack of consultation, threat to veterans’ appeal rights, and overwhelming stakeholder opposition, urging its complete abandonment. - Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families. - Darren Chester welcomes $2.7M investment in cutting-edge MRI technology at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
A $2.7 million upgrade at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service includes Australia's first MRI unit of its kind, improving diagnosis accuracy, patient comfort, and access to affordable, high-quality local healthcare.
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