weekly hansard - Queensland Parliament - Queensland Government

2540 Ministerial Statement 23 Aug 2005
The increase in expenditure year on year is only 1.65 per cent. This is far less than increases in
the consumer price index over this period. While enterprise bargaining pay increases have pushed
salary costs up, there have been substantial savings in both telecommunications costs as well as
computer costs. My government has continued to be responsive to community needs, and the new
portfolio structure I have recently put in place will ensure that we address the big issues and continue
implementation of the Smart State initiatives to build our future. The substantial work of my government
continues to be done in a cost effective way. I table that report for the information of the House.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Sale of Telstra
Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Treasurer) (9.43 am): There are a
number of matters that I wish to report on briefly. One relates to the proposed Telstra sale. As members
know, my government remains totally opposed to the sale of Telstra. I seek leave to incorporate in
Hansard the reasons.
Leave granted.
With arrogant disregard for telecommunications users and taxpayer-shareholders, the Federal Government intends to sell Telstra.
People are having problems getting a decent broadband service sometimes only 12 to 15 kilometres from the centre of the city, let
alone in the bush.
Broadband coverage in Australia is not keeping up with world best practice.
• Australia’s broadband penetration rate is well below that of other industrialised countries.
• As at June 2003, Australia ranked 20th out of the 30 OECD countries, compared to 18th the previous year.
• More recent analysis suggests only 32% of homes have broadband, compared with 67% in Canada, 65% in Singapore
and 46% in the United Kingdom.
An innovative, competitive telecommunications market is critical to Queensland’s and Australia’s future economic growth.
We need a review to address the best way of ensuring services (including repair times, installation, mobile coverage and
broadband) will allow all Australians to be part of the global village.
In particular, the best way to deliver broadband must be considered.
Broadband is most commonly delivered via ADSL, cable or satellite (one or two way).
Satellite provides 100 percent coverage, but ADSL is only available to approximately 75 percent of Australia’s population and
cable is only available in parts of the capital cities, Newcastle and the Gold Coast.
Dial up internet, which is more commonly available, is capable of speeds of up to 56kps, but in reality is often slower.
This technology is not suitable for business and is also frustratingly slow in rural areas where the Federal Government has set the
mandated minimum speed at 19.6 kps for the Universal Service Obligation.
Also, it is more prone to drop-outs and customers cannot use their telephone line at the same time as they use the Internet as they
can with broadband.
Despite the fact the Commonwealth has a clear constitutional responsibility in telecommunications, the Queensland Government
has maximised opportunities to ensure regional Queenslanders have better, affordable services.
Yesterday Cabinet endorsed the Queensland Telecommunications Strategic Framework 2005-2008, to enhance competition and
improve telecommunications in Queensland
This builds on earlier initiatives, such as a $117.5M five year agreement with Optus to support the installation of alternative
broadband infrastructure in Queensland.
This facilitated the construction during 2000-2001 of 1,820 kilometres of optical fibre cable in the Brisbane to Cairns rail corridor,
passing through nine regional centres.
It reduced charges for broadband services between Brisbane and Cairns by up to 70%.
In 2003 we used our buying power as big consumers of mobile phone services to cut deals with Telstra and Optus that have led to
scores of new mobile phone towers in rural and remote areas.
Now we are seeking improved mobile coverage for a highway gap between Winton to Cloncurry.
We have also committed $42 million per annum over five years for Optus products and services, in exchange for broadband
infrastructure in 30 regional towns and optical fibre infrastructure in the business districts of Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
Economic Growth
Hon. PD BEATTIE (Brisbane Central—ALP) (Premier and Treasurer) (9.44 am): I am happy to
report that recent figures show the Queensland economy continues to go from strength to strength. As I
informed the House on 12 August, the July unemployment figure was for the ninth consecutive month at
five per cent or below. I seek leave to incorporate details in Hansard.
Leave granted.
And the latest figures from the ABS Wage Price Index show Queenslanders with a job are on a better wicket with total hourly pay
rates in Queensland growing 0.7% in the June quarter to be 3.9% higher than a year ago.