Queensland Government to build secure $457 million digital radio network impregnable to eavesdroppers Premier Campbell Newman and Treasurer Tim Nicholls announce Telstra as the successful tenderer for the Government Wireless Network. "BADDIES" looking to infiltrate police communications will no longer be able to listen in when a new $457 million system is rolled out. Premier Campbell Newman has announced Telstra has been selected to help the government build the new, secure digital network which will be introduced in Brisbane in time for the G20. "It's long overdue," the Premier said of the government wireless network, which will cost $457.3 million over the next 15 years. Sadly it's the case that our hardworking policemen and women, our ambulance officers and firefighters in many cases are putting up with technology that's well and truly outmoded, that isn't secure. In the case of the police, the baddies can be listening in to them. The system is a security requirement for the G20 meetings and will be installed in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns by next year before being implemented across southeast Queensland. About $56.7 million has been allocated to the system this financial year. "It will be very important for the Commonwealth Games as well," Mr Newman said. Treasurer Tim Nicholls described the new system as science fiction turned reality and said it was already been used effectively in Victoria. "We can't have presidents of the United States, Russia and China driving around Brisbane with an open, analog system," Mr Nicholls said. We need a new system in place to deliver public safety for those dignitaries that will be here but more importantly for our hardworking public safety officials. The capacity of this network includes things like duress buttons, man-down buttons that will give us very accurate identification of where officers are, providing personal safety to those officers as well as providing enhanced and secure communications. While admitting it was a major contract to sign, Mr Newman insisted the government would not fall victim to another health payroll-style bungle with the contract to stipulate that if Telstra failed to deliver an adequate service, the government did not have to pay. "We will be paying as we use it," Mr Newman said with Telstra building, owning and maintaining the infrastructure and assets. Under the contract Telstra are required to give a specified level of reliability. The new system will not only provide security, Mr Newman said, but would also mean the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and police can communicate directly with each other. "This will mean that our emergency services people, the police will actually have the best available equipment," he said. It will replace the open analog system currently used by emergency services but that system will also be kept in operation until the government is satisfied the new network is sufficient. Mr Newman said the government was also investigating which other government departments could benefit from the network. He said local government would also be invited to use the system. While the State will pay the bulk of the network's cost, Mr Newman called on the Federal Government to pay half the cost of the G20 component.