Regional communities have been left out in the latest round of Mobile Blackspot funding with Labor prioritising Labor held seats.
Deputy Leader of The Nationals, Senator Perin Davey, is grossly disappointed in the Government choosing Labor seats to fund under the Improving Mobile Coverage round of the Black Spot Program.
Senator Davey said the Improving Mobile Coverage rounds were initiated by the previous Coalition Government to ensure everyone on the road had access to quality mobile coverage.
“Mobile coverage is crucial on all rural roads, but the Communications Minister clearly thinks it’s only roads in Eden-Monaro that matter,” Senator Davey said.
“It is beyond belief that no funding has gone into seats like Farrer, where I live, Riverina or Parkes – we’ve been left and high and dry.
“It has been reported that Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, directed her Department to ensure only specific locations received funding.
“It beggars belief. When they were in opposition, Labor cried foul about Ministerial discretion even when it directed grant funding into Labor held seats.
“Now, at the first opportunity, Minister Rowland is using her discretion to make sure the vast majority of rural and regional NSW misses out because of partisan politics.
“It shouldn’t matter where you live, all regional communities deserve a chance and Labor needs to stop playing politics because people’s lives are at stake here,” Senator Davey said.
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