Page 516 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 19 March 2014
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MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Chief Minister, what steps will be taken to ensure that the bandwidth capacity is sufficient to deal with the uptake of free wi-fi?
MS GALLAGHER: That is subject, of course, to the negotiations with the vendor. There were some tender specs provided at the request for tender, and, with the preferred tender—as I understand it, that has been identified—that will be subject to those discussions. One of the risks when you implement a change like this is that the demand is so great that the downloads may be slow or frustrating. Of course, we do not want that to be people’s experience. This is about enabling access to this technology. We do not want it to be frustrating, so that is certainly a matter that has been considered and is subject to those detailed discussions.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Chief Minister, what restrictions will exist with the free wi-fi? For example, will people be limited for the amount of download or will there be access time limits imposed?
MS GALLAGHER: Those details are being negotiated as well. In a general sense, my understanding is that the vendor can restrict and limit access if there are problems or people are sitting there downloading way too much. There are ways to control access while allowing people a general download capacity. That is, again, subject to those negotiations. When they are finalised, I will be more than happy to provide a detailed update to the Assembly that covers off all those areas.
Civic—free wi-fi service
MRS JONES: My question is to the Minister for Economic Development. Minister, with the introduction of the free wi-fi commencing within the next 12 months, how can the public be sure that their personal information will not be captured or hacked in some way through the use of this free service?
MR BARR: Appropriate security safeguards can be put in place and are in place in other jurisdictions where similar services are offered.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Minister, what mechanisms are being put in place to ensure business security over the wi-fi network?
MR BARR: I refer the member to my answer to the previous question.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, what services will you provide to the public to ensure that they are aware of the risks of using this service?
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