The Government is intent on putting the ultrafast broadband scheme at risk, following its “loopy rules reduction” report which suggests new infrastructure connections could be optional.
That’s the view of Labour ICT spokesperson Clare Curran, following news that builders could end up signing off their own work under a proposal from a Government taskforce seeking to cut red tape.
Earlier this week, Local Government Minister Paula Bennett released “The loopy rules report” after the Rules Reduction Taskforce found there were too many frustrating rules and regulations, with too many applied inconsistently.
But according to Curran, the Rules Reduction Taskforce report cited an “opportunity” to “Make new infrastructure connections optional and negotiable.”
“This is yet another example of a disjointed government where Ministers are seemingly working against each other,” Curran claims.
“If developers opted out of having to provide internet connections to new or redeveloped properties this would be a significant own goal for the government that would put the viability of the costly UFB scheme at risk, and be a blow to communities.
“Minister Amy Adams needs to can this loopy idea and explain to Paula Bennett how making broadband connections optional in new developments would hold back New Zealand communities and jeopardise the UFB rollout.”