Labour’s Comms & ICT policies

I think it is a sign that the Government is doing most things right,  when most of Labour's policies seem to be to keep the status quo and just have a lot of . This is not a bad thing. An Opposition shouldn't promise massive change just for the sake of it.

Labour's policy is here. The details are:

  • Review the Ultra-fast Broadband project
  • Review the Rural Broadband Initiative
  • Review the telecommunications regulatory framework
  • Review the Telecommunications Service Obligations
  • Encourage local authorities to include broadband availability in their online maps
  • someone builds a second cable, and offer the same money as National to be an anchor tenant in one
  • $2.4 million a year for local Councils to roll out Internet access to low income communities
  • $1.6 million a year for a pilot rural fibre connectivity scheme
  • $1.3 million a year for a connectivity fund
  • Review the Telecommunications, Commerce and Radio Communication Acts
  • Review the Copyright
  • Review the recommendations of the Data Futures Forum

There's nothing bad in this policy. The modest commitment of around $5 million could get some good results.  But largely the policy is an endorsement of the status quo and almost a dozen reviews. Some seem pointless, while others are very desirable (I am very keen on a first principles review of copyright law).

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