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Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities

The Standing Committee on Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities is a current standing committee of the Legislative Assembly, established 21 June 2007.

This committee was established to inquire into the needs of rural and regional communities in relation to telecommunications (including broadband) and other technology services.

Inquiries

During the current parliament, the following inquiries have been undertaken by the committee:

Referred	Inquiry Name
	Are You Connected?: Telecommunications Availability in Rural and Regional Communities (Submissions Being Received)
	Transforming Life Outside Cities: the Potential of Broadband Services (Submissions Being Received)
	Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities: Key Issues for Further Investigation (Completed)
21/06/2007	Broadband in rural and regional communities (Completed)

No inquiries were undertaken by the committee in past parliaments.

Submissions Invited

The committee is not actively receiving submissions at present. Past submissions may be available under the relevant inquiry.

Reports and Government Responses

During the current parliament, the committee has or plans to table the following reports:

Report Date	Name of Report
24/03/2009	Beyond the Bush Telegraph: Meeting the Growing Communications Needs of Rural and Regional People
05/03/2008	Standing Committee on Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities: Key Issues for Further Investigation

Members

• Chair: Mr Paul Gibson.
• Deputy Chair: Mr Gerard Martin.
• Mr Peter BESSELING (Ind, LA Member)
• Mr Andrew CONSTANCE (Lib, LA Member)
• Mr Paul GIBSON (ALP, LA Member)
• Mr David HARRIS (ALP, LA Member)
• Mr Gerard MARTIN (ALP, LA Member)
• Mr Geoff PROVEST (Nat, LA Member)
• Mr Tony STEWART (ALP, LA Member)

Contact

Role	Name	Phone	Fax	Email
Main Contact	Vicki Buchbach	(02) 9230 3438	(02) 9230 3309	broadband@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Committee Manager	Vicki Buchbach	(02) 9230 3438		broadband@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Senior Committee Officer	Carolyn Littlefair	(02) 9230 2108		broadband@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Research Officer	Kylie Rudd	(02) 9230 2633		broadband@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Postal Address

Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000

Terms of Reference Establishing Committee

Resolution passed 21 June 2007, Votes and Proceedings No 14, item 13 (11).

Standing Committee on Broadband in Rural and Regional Communities
That:

(1) A standing committee be appointed to inquire into the needs of rural and regional communities in relation to telecommunications (including broadband) and other technology services and, in particular, to report on the following terms of reference:
(a) The availability of telecommunications (including broadband) and other technology services in rural and regional communities;
(b) The benefits and opportunities for rural and regional communities of having access to telecommunications (including broadband) and other technology services;
(c) Disincentives and barriers to the provision of telecommunications (including broadband) and other technology services to rural and regional communities;
(d) The consequences for rural and regional communities of not having, or not having adequate, access to telecommunications (including broadband) and other technology services, having regard to likely future industry and technological developments; and
(e) Options for encouraging providers of telecommunications (including broadband) and other technology services to extend services to rural and regional communities.

(2) The committee consist of seven members comprising:
(a) Four government members;
(b) Two opposition members; and
(c) One independent member.

(3) The members be nominated in writing to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly by the relevant party leaders and the independent members respectively within seven calendar days of the passing of this resolution.

(4) The committee have leave to make visits of inspection within the State of New South Wales and other states and territories of Australia, but not outside Australia.