Labor Candidate for Forde, Brett Raguse, said today that a Rudd Labor Government would revolutionise Australia’s internet infrastructure by investing up to $4.7 billion, in partnership with the private sector, to establish the National Broadband Network.

Mr Raguse said the new National Broadband Network - to be rolled out over five years - will connect 98 per cent of Australians to high speed broadband internet services.

It will deliver internet services up to 40 times faster than most current speeds. This will increase speed to a minimum of 12 megabits per second.

“This means business, education, communication and household services on the internet - including entertainment - will happen in ‘real time’,” Mr Raguse said today.

“It’s a huge win for small businesses and personal computer users across Australia.

“Whether you are doing the books, chatting to friends, helping your kids with their homework or searching the web – the National Broadband Network will make life a whole lot easier,” Mr Raguse said.

New services and benefits of the network – particularly in rural and regional areas -- include:

• Connecting 98 per cent of Australia to high speed broadband internet services;
• Making connection times up to 40 times faster than current speeds;
• Slashing telephone bills for small business;
• Enhancing business services such as teleconferencing, video conferencing and virtual private networks;
• Enhancing capacity for services like e-education and e-health; and
• Providing high definition, multi-channel and inter-active TV services.

Currently, Australia is 25th in the world in terms of available internet bandwidth.

“There are no medals for 25th – if we want to build long-term economic prosperity once the mining boom is over, now is the time to act!” Mr Raguse said.

The National Broadband Network will be funded by using existing government investments in communications to provide a public equity investment of up to $4.7 billion in the new broadband network.

This would include drawing on the $2 billion Communications Fund and the Future Fund’s 17 per cent share in Telstra, which, consistent with the legislated position, will earn dividends and be sold down to a normal level over time after November 2008.

“We must remember the Howard Government privatised Telstra – 83 per cent has been sold.

“Only Federal Labor’s National Broadband Network will ensure first rate internet service for 98 per cent of Australians.”

The decision to establish the National Broadband Network, which was taken by the Federal Labor caucus, will be recommended to the ALP National Conference next month.