FED:Coalition plan provides choice

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2010
FED:Coalition plan provides choice

CANBERRA, Aug 11 AAP - Labor parliamentary secretary Mike Kelly says the coalition
plans for broadband betrays rural and regional constituents.

On Tuesday the coalition announced it would scrap Labor's $43 billion national broadband
network if it won office, replacing it with a $6 billion alternative involving the private
sector.

"Regional and rural Australia has been betrayed again," Dr Kelly told ABC Television
on Wednesday.

He also accused the coalition of not understanding the basic technology of telecommunications.

"This frontbench from Jurassic Park, who are still trying to come to grips with the
telephone, just don't understand how important this (network) is," he said.

Dr Kelly holds the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro in southern NSW, which contains a
mix of urban, rural and regional residents.

"It's always going to be a tough battle - no place for the faint hearted," he said.

AAP cj/rl/was/maur

KEYWORD: POLL10 BROADBAND KELLY

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