17 December 2012

Greens launch plan to invest in second internet cable

The Green Party has today launched a package of new initiatives to help grow the ICT sector including taking a cornerstone investment in a second internet cable system to New Zealand.

“Government investment in a second internet cable system, supported by smarter government procurement policies, will lead a step-change in the ICT economy, growing exports and creating green jobs,” said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.

The Green Party is proposing the Government take a $100 million cornerstone investment in a second fibre optic cable system to ensure its construction and that it stays in New Zealand control.

“Our reliance on a single provider for our internet means higher prices, data caps, and less innovation. This stifles the full economic potential of the ICT sector.

“In time, capacity will become an issue too, potentially undermining the Government’s $1.5 billion investment in ultra-fast broadband.

“A second cable system will finally break Telecom’s monopoly on international internet provision.

“The for-profit joint venture will be subject to a competitive tender and require no new government spending – achieved by reprioritising poor quality spending.”

New government procurement guidelines were also announced in today’s package of proposed initiatives.

“Government agencies will need to consider the wider economic benefits to New Zealand of supporting the local ICT industry when making purchasing decisions,” Dr Norman said.

“We’ll require the use of open standards and give a strong preference for the use of open source software which can deliver cheaper, more secure systems, while empowering smaller New Zealand providers to bid for the work.

“The ICT sector is a key component of our vision for a smart green economy.

“The potential of the sector is huge, the jobs are well paid, and continued growth of the sector won’t come at the cost of our environment.”

The Green Party consulted widely with the ICT sector in the development of this discussion paper and is now seeking public feedback, which will be incorporated into final policy due before the 2014 election.
ends

Green Party discussion paper on ICT:
http://www.greens.org.nz/ict

Scoop copy of discussion document: ict_green_paper_17_12_12_final.pdf

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>