Did the Federal Government buy big “turn it on” buttons in bulk when it approved the National Broadband Network policy? It’s starting to look that way, judging by the amount of NBN launch events it has held over the past few years. Today’s big orange button comes from Kiama, where the NBN was officially switched on this morning.

Not the best photo of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy. Alongside him are Mellissa Tierney (Australia Day Young Citizen Award Winner), Kiama Council mayor Sandra McCarthy and Treasurer and Deputy PM Wayne Swan.

Another action shot, with Conroy smiling this time:

The happy quartet:

Wah-Swah captured in action, no doubt espousing the economic benefits of universal broadband:

Err …. right. Is this Twister for senior citizens? NBN Co’s official caption about this photo reads:

“Local resident, Judy Spooner, demonstrating a new fall prevention application developed by NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia). The application uses a dance-mat and interactive screen to help the elderly with mobility. This is an example of a new model of healthcare that can be delivered over the National Broadband Network both to regional and metropolitan areas.”

And an action shot from behind:

Overall, quite bizarre.

Image credit: NBN Co

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1. Michael Wyres
   Posted 29/07/2011 at 2:55 pm | Permalink | Reply

   I suspect Conroy carries the big orange button in his brief case, and when not using it at public launches, sits in his office in his boxers, incessantly banging on it, and giggling like a schoolgirl as he does so…

   • Tezz
     Posted 29/07/2011 at 3:19 pm | Permalink | Reply

     Confirm.

   • Cameron Watt
     Posted 30/07/2011 at 11:08 am | Permalink | Reply

     I believe the big orange button was the early hardware prototypes from Conroy’s $130K Cyber Safety big red button program.

     I am kind of relieved actually, I first thought that all that project was going to deliver was a multi platform bookmark… how cynical of me.

     See here for your own button… http://www.dbcde.gov.au/online_safety_and_security/cybersafetyhelpbutton_download

2. PointZeroOne
   Posted 29/07/2011 at 3:22 pm | Permalink | Reply

   DDR FOR THE OLD PEOPLE!!

   • jingo
     Posted 01/08/2011 at 9:43 pm | Permalink | Reply

     national dance dance network

     dance dance health revolution

     aaand so forth

3. Digital Tasmania
   Posted 29/07/2011 at 3:28 pm | Permalink | Reply

   The big button used in Tassie was blue :) see link

   • Michael Wyres
     Posted 29/07/2011 at 3:34 pm | Permalink | Reply

     I thought there were two buttons…one for each……..head?

     *boo*…I know, leave me alone, it’s Friday afternoon!

4. Digital Tasmania
   Posted 29/07/2011 at 3:59 pm | Permalink | Reply

   Nah, maybe the original blue button has been spraypainted (re branded) to match NBNco’s corporate colour :)

   • Tezz
     Posted 29/07/2011 at 4:13 pm | Permalink | Reply

     Maybe Conroys sat on it too many times and it turned orange.

     • Renai LeMay
       Posted 29/07/2011 at 4:28 pm | Permalink | Reply

       rofl

5. RS
   Posted 29/07/2011 at 5:01 pm | Permalink | Reply

   It’s actually quite comical looking at the first two pics…politicians eh, LOL!

   • David Braue
     Posted 10/08/2011 at 10:25 am | Permalink | Reply

     What’s even more comical is watching them do it live. Gillard, Conroy et al are fully aware of how utterly hokey it is, especially when they press the button and this loud and impressive-sounding rendered video whooshes around onscreen as though they really did just turn on the NBN.

     That said, the news media eat this sort of stuff up and the scrum of camera-wielding network types could block out the sun. The pollies could deliver a comprehensive policy platform spelling out the cure for cancer and a workable solution for world peace at one of these launches, and the networks would still run with that bloody orange button being pressed.

6. alain
   Posted 30/07/2011 at 2:56 pm | Permalink | Reply

   I thought that orange button was familiar.

   http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business-old/industry-sectors/fresh-hope-for-telstra-investors-as-138bn-cash-from-nbn-puts-floor-under-the-stock/story-e6frg9hx-1225961140442

   Quite appropriate under the circumstances.

   • RS
     Posted 30/07/2011 at 3:13 pm | Permalink | Reply

     LOL… look alain cracked a funny, +1…

     What makes it even more worthy is, as opposed to normal, this comment was actually meant to be comical…!

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