News and Updates
Australia's peak body representing Internet users, Internet Australia, has called on new Communications Minister Senator the Hon Mitch Fifieldto move quickly and take bold actions to put Australia on track to be a key player in the emerging digitally enabled global economy.
"Australia is well placed to benefit from Internet-led innovation. However, without the right policy settings and the active support of government this cannot happen", commented Internet Australia CEO Laurie Patton. "Foremost in this regard is the need for fast, ubiquitous broadband. We have to make the Internet open, accessible and cost effective to use"
Internet Australia also welcomes the appointment of a Minister for Innovation.
"This is a commendable demonstration of the Turnbull Government's commitment to Australia joining the ranks of countries moving to the next stage of Internet driven industrial development".
"We look forward to meeting with Ministers Fifield Pyne and Assistant Minister for Innovation Wyatt Roy to seek their support for our proposed Digital Future Forum".
Internet Australia, the peak body representing Internet users, has backed calls for the release of the latest NBN costings for providing broadband direct to homes.
CEO, Laurie Patton, said that IA believes there has been too much secrecy over the broadband plans of both the current Government and its predecessors.
"Australia needs the best Internet services available. What's more we need to be confident that no-one is letting partisan politics determine how we build the NBN".
Internet Australia, the peak body representing Internet users, has supported industry calls for an urgent review of the Data Retention Act, which it has previously described as "fundamentally flawed".
CEO Laurie Patton pointed to the "problematic implementation process" and the escalating costs of the scheme as "among a range of matters requiring urgent attention".
Internet Australia's President, regionally based George Fong, has spoken in a video case study featuring young Ballarat based start up company Retsim. Mr Fong has reiterated Internet Australia's strong viewpoint that nationwide NBN coverage is not just desirable, its fundamental to the future of regional, rural and remote Australia.
“NBN Australia have done a fantastic job on highlighting young startups like Retsim and giving them the tools and facilities to compete nationally and globally, but also to operate viably from a regional centre” said Fong. “This cannot happen without a world class high speed national broadband network.”
Internet Australia, the peak body representing Internet users, has called on incoming Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to acknowledge the Abbott Government's failure to understand the importance of the Internet and to fast track construction of the national broadband network.
"Of all the politicians in our Federal Parliament Mr Turnbull knows better than most the value of an effective broadband service to our economic future. This is his opportunity to put Australia back in the game by fast-tracking broadband construction".