Government over-ruling the cost of NZ's Internet?

One of the founding principles of the New Zealand Pirate Party is:
“4. Promotion of openness in government, especially as it relates to electronic media and access.”

We see this as an issue of access, one which the government is effectively threatening to deny to a significant portion of the New Zealand population through sheer lack of utility, by choosing to allow kiwi’s pay more in the interest of corporate profits.

The Commerce Commission has recommended that Chorus rates be lowered, which would in effect lower the cost of broadband for all New Zealanders.

This threat the government is making to disregard the Commission belies the government’s commitment to everyday New Zealanders, and reinforces the view that their greatest constituency is a corporate one.

What is extremely disappointing about this matter is that during the 2011 election campaign, National promoted the introduction of Ultra-Fast Broadband in New Zealand as a mechanism to encourage economic growth. A fact they seemed to have forgotten when they watched the Pacific Fibre cable deal fall through;
and now under the gaze of the Commerce Commission their failure to pass on savings to Kiwi’s is effectively a tax that is funding a single company at the expense of the economic growth further internet access would encourage.

Let’s say that again: Effectively taxing kiwis to prop up Chorus’ profits, and discouraging economic growth.

The Pirate Party of New Zealand
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