Election Issues: National Broadband network

[trishan]

Hey guys,

Not long to go till the election. Personally I don't have a political party that I stick with regardless of policy. I am always open to voting for a different party depending on which party I think has the best policies (or more good than bad policies). So what are the big issues in this election for you?

Issue: Broadband Network

I think this is an important one. Getting Australia up to speed is so important for future growth and success, especially given the increasing importance of e-commerce. A lot has been made about Abbott's incompetence when it comes to technology, but surely he would have advisors? He wants to scrap the NBN plans and proposes a cheaper alternative. The alternative will supposedly not increase internet speed by much. Even though the NBN is expensive, a cost-benefit analysis would be more appropriate than a purely cost view.

Party that's leading the issue: Labor

What are some issues that are important to you and who is leading policy-making on that issue?

[AceLosesKing]

Can I vote for Gamers for Croydon again? Cos if so that's what I'll be doing ;D

[wabbit999]

A lot has been made about Abbott's incompetence when it comes to technology, but surely he would have advisors? He wants to scrap the NBN plans and proposes a cheaper alternative. ?

Just imagine the incompetence of Abbot if he were around when telephone lines were invented... We'd all be using Tin Cups and String today...

Oh wait but theres more...............

[Russ]

If i cant i will be drawing a square, writing gamers for croydon next to it and filing that square in.

[bennymacca]

abbott's plan smacks of ignorance

i lol'd hard but was also worried when he was scoffing about the 10 times potential speed increase that labour announced.

EVER HEARD OF DIALUP AND ADSL2 TONY

they are on the same copper lines, and adsl is theoretically 375 times faster.

so 10 doesn't seem like a stretch


the labor policy shows a lot of foresight and i like it a lot. to be honest, it is the only bit of kevin rudd's governance that might turn out ok.

[rcon]

Sure, I was a helicopter to get to work in because it will increase my available time to work. I think the tax payer should provide me with one. In fact, I think every commuter should have one, just think how much more productive the workforce would be! Its all good, no one has to pay for it, the government will look after you! lol

If the NBN was such a killer idea, someone would already be doing it, it was dreamed up when the much more modest plan attracted no support and no one was interested in participating. Just think how far we've come in the last 10 years on internet speeds with NO TAXPAYER ASSISTANCE.

Without any sort of CBA, do you really think we're wise to put all out technology eggs in this basket? How many other competing technologies do you think this proposal will crowd out, how many better ways of doing business will be lost, all because a government (that can't design an free home insulation scheme) has decided it knows best about what technology people will want in future. Governments have an extremely poor track record at picking technology winners, actually, any winners, that is what we have the private sector for - taking risks and reaping both rewards and failure.

Here is a non-partisan look at why the NBN doesn't make as much sense as Jooles tells you: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2983739.htm

More important issues are around waste and incompetent management. I voted Labor last time after abstaining in 2004 (I hate compulsory voting) and I feel I have to do my bit to ditch a government that shows no respect for the money belonging to us, the taxpayer when it shovels money out the door. Even its 2nd round of stimulus spending, claimed to save us from recession and hundreds of thousands of jobs losses - most of it was spent after the risk had passed, and some of it is still going out the door.

A government that cannot keep a focus or argue a position with the people. Take Rudd's Asia Economic forum that was announced with no notice or a heads up to our neighbors and seems to have disappeared just as quickly. What about his global nuclear disarmament treaty, cant say I've heard much about that lately.

A government that is more interested in seeming than doing - grocery watch, fuel watch and now an announcement of a rail line in west Sydney which its own body, Infrastructure Australia said was a waste of time (mind you, the Nationals ARE MASTERS of pork!). The "greatest moral challenge of our time", whilst I'm all for waiting and not doing on this one, again it shows a government not interested in actually governing for what it feels is the good of the nation, only what is good for it.

I wont get started on my objecting to the watering down of work choices as that good policy was badly implemented and that is poor public administration.

Hmmm, yeah, I'm having trouble actually believing I'll vote liberal having never voted them in my life, the thought of another term of this hugely incompetent administration makes me sick. I wish the libs had Turnbull in charge, but I'm voting against Labor as it has no respect for the money it spends (much like me when I've had a win really!)

Rant over and back to study

[trishan]

Hmmm, definitely food for thought. You make some excellent points.

Governments have an extremely poor track record at picking technology winners, actually, any winners, that is what we have the private sector for - taking risks and reaping both rewards and failure.

I thought this point was particularly persuasive.

I guess this election will partly be about picking the least bad party that will do the least damage.

[Caleb]

Back to study roomie!!!






















I agree. At least this rant isn't directed towards me. He knows more about all this than I and I don't like looking stupid.

[trishan]

He knows more about all this than I and I don't like looking stupid.

Yeh, rcon clearly knows his politics. I need to do some research before Saturday.

[AceLosesKing]

If i cant i will be drawing a square, writing gamers for croydon next to it and filing that square in.

Needs more love.