Media Release

Clare Curran

MP for Dunedin South

Spokesperson for Communication and IT

Grant Robertson

MP for Wellington Central

Labour Spokesperson on State Services

3 February 2009

Scrapping Government Shared Network backward step

Scrapping the Government Shared Network (GSN) is a backward step at a time when the National Government should be supporting information technology projects, Labour MPs said today.

Labour ICT spokesperson Clare Curran and State Services Commission spokesperson Grant Robertson labelled the move to discontinue the GSN as retrograde and short sighted.

“The GSN is a major piece of the information communication technology infrastructure developed by the previous Labour Government,” they said.

“It provided a foundation for transformational improvement in the provision of state services and increased security and consolidated resources and expertise within the public sector.

“Its intention was always to provide a necessary and important service within the context of new technology for the public good.

“The National Government’s heavy-handed and regressive approach to new technology reflects its lack of a plan for ICT and will damage the industry generally.

“This decision demonstrates a big step backwards for New Zealand’s digital strategy at a time when we need to be showing certainty and confidence.

"Instead of laying out a positive broadband plan, National is asleep at the wheel – since being in government, its only move has been to cancel a major IT infrastructure project, while leaving 36 Broadband Investment Fund projects in limbo."

ENDS

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