Some have said this is the first Australian Election where social media plays a significant role. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat (and more) are increasingly important and powerful platforms for voters to engage and communicate with – and for politicians to manage. I use social media to develop a deeper understanding of the issues I care about and how our political landscape really works. This will help me make an informed vote on July 2.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport, it’s a participatory event. If we don’t participate in it, it ceases to be a democracy.” Michael Moore
Over the last 12 or so months I’ve had a political awakening. My husband says it’s like I’ve been ‘born again’ and in some ways he’s right. I’ve found my political ‘truth’ and can finally ‘see’ the realities of our political and news media landscape. Overall, it’s a compelling, sorry story and is something we should all be aware of — particularly in an Election year where the real policy differences between each of the Parties can impact us all.
I’ve long had an interest in politics, watching programs like Q&A and Insiders, and i’m aware of my Federal and State members and candidates. I’ve also binged on the all too frequent Prime Ministerial spills we’ve had over recent years.
But five prime ministers in five years made me wonder what was really going on in politics, so I looked a little further and came across the #auspol hashtag on Twitter.
The #auspol Twitter hashtag community is the third largest and most active Twitter community globally and the largest political hashtag globally. (We may be getting gazumped at the moment with the US Election). It is an active community of Australian political junkies with every kind of view you could possibly imagine. It is also frequently used by politicians and journalists with issues ranging from asylum seekers, education, health, homelessness, tax avoidance, climate change to gay marriage, NBN and the current July 2 Double Dissolution Election.
While #auspol is not immune from views which I find just plain wrong (some abhorrent and the odd troll), it is far from ‘digital graffiti’. It’s full of passionate people who are there to develop a deeper knowledge of our political landscape, and to express, form, share opinions, and have a rant – often in that uniquely witty Australian way. There is frustration, anger and plenty of disagreement, but I mostly see this stemming from a strong position of care and wanting a better and fairer Australia. In a highly diverse, active and large ‘broad-church’ of views, I’ve found it interesting that you tend to gravitate and form your own ‘tribe’ of politically like–minded Tweeps.
Along with #auspol, I’ve also broadened the media brands where I get my news and political information from and now read from a wide range of sources beyond mainstream media and the ABC. (*I’ve listed some of this media below). I often find the comments on articles more insightful where any bias (often) from a journalist or commentator is generally called out.
Sadly, the more I know about Australian politics, some politicians and commentators, the more I see how we’ve been let down through a broken system which is not meeting our ongoing needs. Particularly as we increasingly become part of a global community which in many ways is evolving far more quickly than us.
“Australia is a lucky country run mainly by second rate people who share its luck.” Donald Horne from his 1964 book ‘Lucky Country’
One issue I’ve taken a particular interest in is the National Broadband Network (NBN), which I came across in a most curious way…
Over the January holidays I was lying by a pool scrolling through #auspol and came across an intriguing tweet from the now ex ABC tech journalist Nick Ross, who on the day he was made redundant tweeted:
Now I can write about the NBN again – Nick Ross
I then went well and truly down the NBN rabbit hole and have not come back out.
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is Australia’s largest ever infrastructure project ($56 billion) and is fundamental to our successful role within an innovative digital world economy, underpinning sectors such as business (large, medium and small), health and education. While I was seeing the impact of the NBN through the lens of the industry I work in (marketing, advertising and media), the sub-standard NBN, currently being rolled out around Australia, will impact us all in various ways from business and households to the mum who works from home (like me) – to our kids and their future careers.
The more I read and spoke with people the more I knew this was a story which my industry was not fully aware of and one that had to be told. Long story short, in mid-March I sent an open letter to my colleagues outlining key points about the NBN – most of which are relevant to all women.
It received plenty of feedback and got people talking. I hope it will get you talking too:
Dear Colleagues,
Today I’m reaching out to all of you with a message about the National Broadband Network (NBN) – the ‘nation building’ telecommunications infrastructure which underpins the ongoing productivity and success of our own and all other Australian industries.
It’s time to raise your awareness and serious concerns around the NBN roll-out strategy and understand the negative and profound impact this plan will have on the future of Australian marketing, advertising and media as we transition to a digital based industry operating in a global market.
The long held views of telecommunications experts, tech journalists, academics and some politicians are gaining increasing traction for their evidence showing a vast difference between the infrastructure being rolled-out through Australia’s NBN and the infrastructure we need to comprehensively face the fast digital future.
“The national broadband network, as it stands today is a disaster. It is hands down the most poorly managed infrastructure project in Australia’s history. Everything – from the pathetic political debate that ensued at its inception, to the horse trading over its design and funding, has been an absolute and complete mess. From its initial idea, which was fairly simple and visionary, to replace the copper network with fibre and a couple of Satellites, it has blown out to a mess of expensive, obsolete band aids.” James Pinnell from PC Authority
“If we are going to be an innovations nation how are we going to compete against countries that already have internet speeds 100x faster than ours” Laurie Patton CEO of Internet Australia
For those of you who don’t know much about the NBN (I didn’t till quite recently) here are 10 quick bullet points to get your head around. Hang in there, this is important…
1. According to Akamai Australia’s average internet connectivity speed is ranked 46th in the world & is declining. Most internet connections are currently through ADSL. Some commentators say we will be ranked 100th by 2020 even with the NBN in place.Update: Latest Akamai report shows Australia’s ranking falling rapidly to 60th.
2. The NBN is being rolled-out now across Australia with the aim of delivering fast broadband. This roll-out plan is based on the Multi-Technology-Mix model (MTM)with 5 forms of connection…
– FTTN (fibre to the node) – optic fibre connects with existing copper cable and runs into the home
– FTTP (fibre to the premise) – optic fibre runs directly into the premise or home. Commentators and experts recognise FTTP as the most effective for our digital future.
– HFC (hybrid fibre coaxial) – optic fibre connects with existing cable used for PayTV
– Fixed Wireless – internet signal sent by tower to antennae fixed to a premise
– Satellite – for remote regions
Update: FTTdp (fibre to the distribution point) – fibre optic cable can be run to the fence line of a premise then connected to existing copper. This is considered a good short term option as fibre optic cable can be extended directly to the premise at a later date. FTTdp is currently being trialled in a limited number of households.
3. The majority of NBN connections will be FTTN (fibre to the node) where optic fibre connects at the ‘node’ housed in a green cabinet (see title image) with Telstra’s existing copper cable. This copper cable then runs directly into each premise or house connecting with a NBN modem.
4. The average age of Telstra’s existing copper cable used under the FTTN model is in some cases upwards of 90 years old. The copper cable is degrading, requires increasing maintenance, is highly susceptible to weather conditions and rapidly loses speed over distance. In short, it’s not fit for purpose now, let alone in a fast digital future.
5. In 2013, the current NBN MTM model replaced the original plan which involved FTTP where 93% were to receive fibre optic cable directly to the premise bypassing Telstra’s copper cable. Australian’s in remote areas were to receive satellite.
6. Governments of developed nations around the world (except Italy) are rolling out full FTTP (fibre to the premise) cable.
7. A recent cost update increased the NBN MTM rollout from $41 billion to $56 billion, making it Australia’s single most expensive infrastructure project ever. PriceWaterhouseCoopers recently valued the NBN at $27 billion. Update: the 2016 budget shows Government funding for the NBN ceases at the end of the 2016/2017 FY.
8. While the NBN cable provides broadband connectivity, the digital signal is pushed through bandwidth sold by Telstra to ISP’s. This is another complex layer impacting internet speeds. Update: The impact of Australia’s telecommunications duopoly plays a large part in the state of the NBN & has been outlined in this article by SharkTank’s Stephen Baxter.
9. Pointing to dissatisfaction within corporate ranks, regular leaks are now emerging from within NBNCo (the Govt run business charged with NBN roll-out) showing delays, cost blowouts and customer complaints. Some customers are saying their FTTN speed is no better than ADSL particularly during congested internet usage periods. The latest leak appeared on Wednesday. Update: On May 19, 2016 the Australian Federal Police (& an NBN Security Officer) conducted unprecedented raids on the offices of Labor Senator Stephen Conroy looking for leaked NBN documents which were received under Parliamentary privilege. An overview of these #NBNRaids can be seen here.
10. There is an increasing awareness that Australia will hit a digital ‘roadblock’ through the NBN within 5-10 years as our digital telecommunications needs will be – and is already showing to be – far too big for the broadband infrastructure in place.
With the above points in mind, imagine a commercial future in which a sub-standard NBN is our gateway to consumers, clients, and a digitally connected global economy. How will this affect your business as marketers, advertisers and publishers?
Read the rest of this Open Letter including more compelling evidence here.
*Broaden your media habits beyond mainstream (article comments recommended):
– New Matilda
– Independent Australia
– Crikey
– The Guardian
– The Conversation
– Delimiter
– The Saturday Paper
– Twitter – #auspol
– Twitter – #ausvotes (this hashtag has been created by Twitter for the July 2 Election)