Regular listeners will know I am not that knowledgeable when it comes to computers, so it is quite a concern that I seem to have a better grasp of the broadband problems than the Communications minister.

Last night Coonan huffed and puffed her way through Lateline, in a condescending and patronising manner, attacking Labor’s new broadband initiative.

Her main arguments seemed to be that if Labor’s plan would eventually run at a profit, it shouldn’t need any initial investment (an argument proving she has as good a grasp of business as she does of everything else) and that the government are committed to providing the bush with the same level of service metro enjoys.

What’s that 256? 512?

We are falling dangerously behind the developed world on this. A study highlighted in The Age showed in Paris for the equivalent of $50 Australian they get 24Mbps, unlimited downloads, unlimited VOIP calls within France and 100 TV channels coming in through the internet.

And it is not just for entertainment purposes. The lack of a world class broadband service will start to effect the way we do business, the economy, everything.

Nobody is suggesting the bush doesn’t need broadband. That is not the issue here. And I know we have a vast, somewhat isolated country and that there are complex problems which need to be overcome. So overcome them. Just sitting around saying there are problems and doing nothing won’t help. Neither will Telstra and the government just blaming each other.

It is heading towards as big a stuff up as digital TV. Only this matters even more.