The biggest loser in this week's budget was broadband -- not one cent was allocated to improve infrastructure works. Security was the winner, with funding confirmed to fight intellectual property crime and cyber-terrorist attacks.

Few crumbs for ICT industry
Communications minister Senator Helen Coonan reveals attack is the best form of defence, distributing myriad Labor-blasting press releases in the weeks leading up to the federal budget.

No money for broadband
The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) is disappointed the federal budget failed to allocate new funds to further the rollout of a world class high-speed broadband network.

Eye on cyber-terrorism attacks
The federal government has allocated more than AU$12 million over the next four years to expand the Australian Government Computer Emergency Readiness Team (GovCERT) and fight high tech crimes, including "cyber-terrorism".

E-security gets $13.6m boost
The federal government will spend AU$13.6 million over the next four years trying to protect consumers and businesses from "sophisticated and targeted attacks", according to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan.

ASIC gets $117m to fund core ICT
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) will receive an injection of AU$116.7 million over the next four years to upgrade its information technology infrastructure.

Millions to fight IP crime
The federal government will spend AU$12.4 million over the next two years to tackle intellectual property crime.