AN INSURANCE POLICY AGAINST LABOR’S RURAL CASH GRAB

The Federal Coalition Government today moved to ensure Labor can not squander the $2 billion perpetual rural and regional Communications Fund with the introduction of legislation to guarantee it’s safeguarded against Labor’s selfish, city-centric interests, Senator Fiona Nash said. “The $2 billion Communications Fund was set up so there was always enough money in the bank to ensure people in rural and regional Australia would never be left behind when it came to improvements in telecommunications,” Senator Nash said. “In complete contrast to the Coalition’s policy, Labor has committed to robbing the Communications Fund to help pay for a broadband network that is only expected to reach around 75 per cent of the population. “In other words, Labor is more than happy to steal from a fund set up specifically for rural and regional communities, and squander it on a network that people outside the metropolitan areas – the very people the Communications Fund was set up to protect – won’t be able to use. “Labor’s willingness to strip the bush of these much needed funds serves as a warning to rural and regional Australians that Labor has no regard for the interests of people in these communities. If Labor has pledged to support draining these funds now, I hate to think of the money they will rip out of rural and regional Australia if they are elected.” Senator Nash explained the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Protecting Services for Rural and Regional Australia into the Future) Bill, introduced into Parliament today, will protect in legislation the $2 billion principal of the fund so that only the interest earned from the fund can be spent. “The Federal Coalition Government is committed to spending the interest from the fund – up to $400 million every three years – on improving telecommunication services for the seven million people living outside the major metropolitan areas, to ensure they are never left behind as technology moves ahead,” Senator Nash said. “In eliminating this fund, Labor is denying rural and regional Australia this ongoing funding stream which the Coalition intends to spend on infrastructure for regional communities such as additional mobile phone towers, broadband provision and backhaul fibre capabilities. “If Labor has their way, rural and regional telecommunications will be left in the dark ages.” Media contact: Julie Siegert 0429 818 600

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