Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has welcomed news of Federal funding for mobile services in Wool Bay and Port Rickaby.“I am really pleased the Labor Government has continued the Coalition’s investment in mobile phone reception in regional Australia,” he said.
“Telstra will partner with the Government to implement a macrocell in these communities to provide reliable mobile services.“This will be the first time a Labor Government has ever invested in the mobile phone network in regional Australia and I urge them to push further along the pathway.“Under the Mobile Black Spots Program, $380m was committed by the Coalition with 51 sites in Grey funded, but there is still work to be done.
“This round, the sixth was a clutch of commitments put forward by the Communications Minister Michelle Rowland prior to election, with 74% being in Labor electorates.
“An investigation by the Auditor-General into the Government’s handling of Round 6 is currently underway with 12 of those sites not proceeding because they did not meet the primary criteria and look forward to seeing what he has to say on the allocation process.
“Reliable telecommunications is critical to running modern businesses and enabling access to new markets, business support services and technologies, such as digital farming practices. It also supports economic participation among isolated communities and provides an essential service in emergency situations such as extreme weather, bushfires, flooding or serious trauma incidents, such as road accidents.
“I’m thankful for the commitment to Wool Bay and Port Rickaby and just ask the Government to stay committed and continue the good work done under the Coalition in improving the availability and quality of mobile services in regional and remote areas.”
