Media Release
Clare Curran
MP for Dunedin South
Spokesperson for Communication and IT
Grant Robertson
MP for Wellington Central
Labour Spokesperson on State Services
3 February 2009
Scrapping Government Shared Network backward step
Scrapping the Government Shared Network (GSN) is a backward step at a time when the National Government should be
supporting information technology projects, Labour MPs said today.
Labour ICT spokesperson Clare Curran and State Services Commission spokesperson Grant Robertson labelled the move to
discontinue the GSN as retrograde and short sighted.
“The GSN is a major piece of the information communication technology infrastructure developed by the previous Labour
Government,” they said.
“It provided a foundation for transformational improvement in the provision of state services and increased security and
consolidated resources and expertise within the public sector.
“Its intention was always to provide a necessary and important service within the context of new technology for the
public good.
“The National Government’s heavy-handed and regressive approach to new technology reflects its lack of a plan for ICT
and will damage the industry generally.
“This decision demonstrates a big step backwards for New Zealand’s digital strategy at a time when we need to be showing
certainty and confidence.
"Instead of laying out a positive broadband plan, National is asleep at the wheel – since being in government, its only
move has been to cancel a major IT infrastructure project, while leaving 36 Broadband Investment Fund projects in
limbo."
ENDS