Abbott is a Luddite, says Conroy
- 10 August, 2010 17:23
- Comments 9
Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, labelled Opposition leader, Tony Abbott, a “luddite” for appearing to have nothing to do with his party’s technology policies. The Canberra press gallery also criticised the Opposition Leader over the issue.
Abbott did not mention his party’s broadband policy or Australia’s technology sector in general during the Coalition’s wide-ranging election campaign launch on Sunday, and this morning’s Coalition broadband policy launch was conducted by Shadow Communications Minister, Tony Smith, and Finance spokesperson Andrew Robb.
In addition, Abbott has seldom commented on the Coalition’s attitude towards Labor’s controversial filter policy, leaving it to Smith, Shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey, and Liberal MP, Malcolm Turnbull, to detail the Coalition’s decision last week to vote against the project.
In a press conference, Conroy said Abbott had had his chance on Sunday to outline his views for Australia — but “never talked about broadband” or technology in general.
“The man is a luddite,” he said
Journalists at the Coalition’s press conference this morning also questioned Abbott’s absence. “Why isn’t Tony Abbott announcing this today?” asked one. And another questioned: “Why couldn’t you fly to Sydney and make this announcement, is the leader not across the detail of this?”
Robb said Abbott had to be in Sydney today to hold a press conference with the Opposition’s immigration spokesperson, Scott Morrison, who had just returned from a brief visit to the island to discuss striking a deal on detention centres.
“The boat people — it’s a huge issue for so many Australians,” Robb said.
Conroy demanded that Abbott explain the Coalition’s policy to regional Australia. The $6 billion rival broadband policy to Labor’s National Broadband Network project features a competitive backhaul network, regional and metropolitan wireless networks and an ADSL enrichment program that will target telephone exchanges without ADSL2+ broadband.
“Tony Abbott has to explain to those thousand towns why he’s locking them into a second-rate broadband network,” Conroy said, referring to rural areas who would receive fibre under Labor’s NBN plan. “The rest of the world is going fibre. The Coalition’s policy is fibre-free.”
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Comments
Daniel
That is a remarkable assertion coming from the person who think its a good idea to filter the internet. Conroy, who has no technology related degrees or diplomas, the same man who is trying to protect us all from "spams and scams in the portal", has the audacity to call someone else a luddite.
Smashmouth
Yeah, nice job Conroy.
It must be pretty easy to design a world class idealist broadband solution when you're spending $42 billion of someone else's money.
Before you speak again, define Refused Classification succinctly .... I won't hold my breath
Michael
Well, at least he didn't call him a pedophile.
Tom
At least Abbott can admit to not knowing much about tech. Although it would be good for him to know more, Abbott can defer to others in his party for tech matters.
Whereas Conroy does not admit to is blindingly obviously lack of knowledge when it comes to tech, made even more disturbing given his job. Rather than listen to advisors, industry professionals or the general public Conroy is 'moving forward' with his idiotic, unworkable policy of internet filtering.
I'd rather a luddite that can admit to not knowing, rather than a twat who thinks he does.
Derp
Uh, guys. Luddism has nothing to do with technical knowledge, it's to do with willingness to embrace new technology. Conroy's assertion seems accurate considering Abbott's apparent complete lack of interest in the technology sector.
Conroy might have some misguided ideas and limited technical knowledge, but he shows a clear belief in pushing for the NBN and embracing the best technology for the future of communications in this country. He's perfectly justified in his comment about Abbott and there's no hypocrisy in it.
@Tom
"I'd rather a luddite that can admit to not knowing, rather than a twat who thinks he does."
You'd rather a person who is anti-technology? That's what a Luddite is.
I think some people here need to stop letting their personal hatred of Conroy get in the way of actually paying attention to what he says.
Toni
So Abbott is a luddite then what makes you conroy with your filter?
Gordon
Pot kettle black
gnome
@3, Michael: "Well, at least he didn't call him a pedophile."
Abbott is opposed to Net censorship. Isn't it Conboy's holy mantra that anyone who opposes his stupid filter must be a pedophile?
john
For NBN
Opposed Filter.
Party that stands for that? Greens.
That's my voting taking care of. Of course, with preferences, it'll just be Labour anyway.
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