Regional Australia has been dealt a major blow in Labor’s Budget with funding completely cut for the Mobile Blackspots Program and the Regional Connectivity Program.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said it is imperative the regions have reliable mobile service and better connectivity.
“This is a huge blow for the regions and could not come at a worse time as we expect new gaps in the network to open up when the 3G network is shut down in the coming months,” he said.
“For our entire time in government, the Coalition ran a mobile phone program co-funding mobile black spots demonstrating our commitment to addressing the disparities in service between cities and the regions.
“The Coalition allocated $380 million over six rounds which helped fund 51 blackspots towers in Grey. Additionally we allocated $257m to the Regional Connectivity Program funding ten excellent communications projects in Grey worth millions of dollars.
“And now we find, buried deep on pg 220 of the Budget, both programs are not funded beyond 2026/27. Given the speed Government has been working, that indicates we will likely have one more round and that will be it.
“My disappointment with the Budget and announcements surrounding it could hardly be higher, the Albanese Government has abandoned regional Australia.
“Its not just telecommunications, they are phasing out live sheep exports, taxing the vehicles we need in regional Australia, hitting farmers with new levies for bio-security, sticking transmission lines and renewable generation all over our regional landscape and cutting back on the road renewal projects.”
“If nothing else, the Minister for Communications should have the courage to look regional Australia in the eye and explain why her Government is abolishing the Mobile Black Spot Program while failing to provide long-term funding for other mobile connectivity programs that so many Australians rely on, instead of just quietly burying the bad news deep in the budget.”
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 0417827523
May 17 2024
