Election 2007 Day 21: How fast is our broadband?

Broadband is front and centre in election campaigning today, with Coalition Communication Minister Helen Coonan seeking to capitalise on OECD figures showing that Australia has the ninth fastest broadband in the world.

According to Coonan, the OECD’s global internet rankings show Australia is performing well compared to many other developed nations.

As well as the ninth fastest broadband in the world, Australia also has the fourth most affordable broadband, the sixth fastest broadband connection speeds and the 12^th fastest take-up of broadband services of the 30 countries surveyed by the OECD.

“The OECD rankings released this morning will be embarrassing for Kevin Rudd who has relied heavily on previous OECD figures to attack Australia’s international broadband standing,” Coonan says.

Meanwhile Prime Minister John Howard has taken the opportunity to campaign in his at-risk seat of Bennelong this morning, announcing $3 million for community health and security in his north-western Sydney electorate.

Labor leader Kevin Rudd has travelled slightly further afield to announce a swathe of funding to improve roads in northern NSW.