6 Feb 2009

Govt moves to dump Labour's broadband fund

12:03 pm on 6 February 2009

The Government has moved to officially dump the former Government's broadband fund.

Labour allocated $340 million under a broadband investment fund, which was suspended after the election.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Stephen Joyce has now moved to formally axe the fund.

Money for the Digital Development Council and the Digital Development Forum, which represent industry groups, has also been withdrawn.

Mr Joyce says it clears the decks for the Government's plans to spend $1.5 billion on an ultra-fast broadband network direct to households and businesses.

Digital Development Council chair Fran Wilde says the council may continue some of its work, without Government funding.