The Tasmanian Greens Leader Nick McKim today welcomed an alternative proposal for the rollout of optic fibre in Tasmania, but warned that utilising existing electricity supply infrastructure was a less-than-reliable solution.
“This is not the ideal solution but it is better than nothing at all, which is effectively what the Liberals wanted,” Mr McKim said.
“Reliable communications services are essential in emergency situations like bushfire, which is one reason that the optic-fibre cable should all be going underground.”
“It is because Tasmanian businesses have invested money expecting the NBN contracts to be delivered that a solution needs to be found urgently.”
“It is likely to mean more disruptions to internet services from storms and fire, and that will be thanks to Tony Abbott and his do-nothing deputy Will Hodgman.”
“The Liberal Party’s broken broadband promises have forced Tasmania to look for a less-than-ideal solution, just so we are not left in the technological dark ages.”
“It is short term cost-cutting that Tasmanians are likely pay for in the long term through reduced reliability and increased maintenance costs.”
“Our long term aim should still be to run all the cable underground, and that is what the Greens will continue to work toward.”
