LABOR WILL FIX MOBILE BLACK SPOTS IN CAPRICORNIA

18 July 2016

Labors Regional Communications Spokesperson, Stephen Jones and Labor Candidate for Capricornia Leisa Neaton, today announced that Labor will provide essential funding to help fix mobile blackspots on the Capricorn Coast.

Mobile_Black_spot3.jpg

Fixing mobile black spots is achieved by providing critical infrastructure that saves lives in an emergency and is central to the daily life of all local residents and businesses.

A number of locations in areas prone to natural disasters such as Stanage Bay Road and Marlborough-Sarina Road have been overlooked by the Turnbull Liberal Government in Round One of the Coalitions Mobile Black Spot Program.

A Shorten Labor Government will fix this.

Stephen Jones said that Labor was committed to improving the administration and rollout of the Mobile Black Spot Program across Australia.

Labor will improve the administration of the Mobile Black Spot Program by giving better priority to areas prone to natural disasters, like bushfires.

Under the Turnbull Governments watch there have been some glaring omissions in the Mobile Black Spot Program. The locations of Stanage Bay Road and Marlborough-Sarina Road should have been funded but were not, Mr Jones said.

It is absolutely essential that peoples safety comes first and that in emergency situations, regional communications are up to the standard the community expects, Mr Jones said.

Labor Candidate for Capricornia Leisa Neaton said that better a mobile phone black spot funding program will make a huge difference to local communities these areas.

The lack of funding for mobile black spots such as Stanage Bay Road and Marlborough-Sarina Road are examples of the failures of Malcolm Turnbulls failed mobile phone rollout, Ms Neaton said.

These areas should be highest priority. Unfortunately, it is evident from the allocation of these towers that this is not the only deciding factor. Mr Turnbulls poor mobile coverage impacts families, students and small businesses in our region, Ms Neaton said.

Its clear the Federal Liberal Government does not understand the needs of our region. Quality and reliable communications infrastructure is vital to the way we live our lives, particularly in regional areas, Ms Neaton said.

Of the 499 mobile towers funded in Round One of the Mobile Black Spot Programme, as of 4 May 2016 only 21 had been switched on.

The Liberals have over-promised and under-delivered on mobile black spots.