p>The Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, today visited the new NBN Digital Hub in Bacchus Marsh and urged the community to take full advantage of the facility.
However, she cautioned that if a Liberal Government is elected on September 7 a digital divide will be driven through Moorabool Shire.
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The Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, today visited the new NBN Digital Hub in Bacchus Marsh and urged the community to take full advantage of the facility.
However, she cautioned that if a Liberal Government is elected on September 7 a digital divide will be driven through Moorabool Shire.
Some people will have the NBN fast broadband to their premises and while others will be forced to accept the inferior and more costly product on offer from the Liberals.
Established at the Bacchus Marsh Community College at The Laurels, the new NBN Digital Hub is being funded with $340,909 from the Rudd Labor Government.
It is aimed at helping people and businesses take maximum advantage of the opportunities offered by the NBN fast broadband.
Ms King said the Hub will:
- Help individuals in across the community improve their online and digital literacy skills;
- Assist local residents to understand the opportunities created by the fast, affordable and reliable broadband delivered by the NBN; and
- Work with small businesses and not-for-profit organisations to develop their online presence and take full advantage of the NBN.
“It is essential programs like this are available so that everyone can learn about and embrace the online opportunities that are possible through the NBN,” Ms King said.
“This is an exciting development for Bacchus Marsh. The Digital Hub will provide free classes in a range of topics, including NBN awareness, basic computer skills, social networking, accessing the internet and online operations.”
Ms King said that while the NBN Digital Hub was a positive development, under a Liberal Government many people in Moorabool Shire will never experience the fast NBN broadband already on offer to others. “Those areas which already have NBN fast broadband or are contracted to receive it will get it,” MS King said.
“But if the Liberals are elected that’s where it will stop dead. Everyone will then have to operate on the old copper cable or pay up to $5000 to have fibre connected – and even then get inferior speeds.
“It is great that Moorabool is at the centre of the NBN roll-out and I trust all areas of the region will soon be equally able to connect to the world through this great nation-building initiative.”