Queensland Liberal Senator, Russell Trood, has called for the Rudd Government to consider the needs of remote communities when delivering broadband internet to the bush.

“We have communities that are desperately in need of improved telecommunications, yet the government continues to delay the rollout with its usual inept approach to decision making,” Senator Trood said.

Senator Trood visited towns of the Barcoo and Diamantina Shires in Queensland’s south west last week, during a guided tour organised by Barcoo Mayor, Bruce Scott and Diamantina Mayor, Robbie Dare.

“Mayor Bruce Scott is particularly passionate about bringing broadband to the bush because of the many advantages it could provide for education, health and business in the region,” Senator Trood said.

Members of the community voiced their concerns at a number of meetings held throughout the Barcoo Shire, and telecommunications remained to be an issue of great concern.

“The enthusiasm expressed by locals for their community was impressive; they deserve to be provided with better technology so that the region can have a greater opportunity for growth,” Senator Trood said.

“The population is so spread out in the bush that a reliable communications system is vital to the well-being and even the survival of the community,” Senator Trood said.

“Teachers are struggling to work with outdated technology - when I visited a School of the Air classroom, the students had difficulty in logging onto the landline internet, which does not bode well for Rudd’s supposed education revolution,” Senator Trood said.

“Greater internet capacity would also improve health services, allowing easier and more accurate diagnosis of medical conditions.”

“People in the bush really need to be better connected and I urge the government to stop wasting time in delivering this valuable service,” Senator Trood said.