Council
19 June, 2024
War of words over blackspot funding
A WAR of words has erupted over blackspot funding in Australia, with Member for Wannon Dan Tehan alleging funding has been cut.
Mr Tehan said Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has been attempting to argue the program has not been defunded.
“But the facts are that the Budget papers show that zero funding has been allocated for the Mobile Black Spot Program in 2027-2028, and they specifically refer to the “conclusion” of the program,” he said.
“In 2027-2028, funding is cut to zero not only for the Mobile Black Spot program but also for the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
“The Minister has said that the Mobile Black Spot Program will be funded by the Better Connectivity program.
“But that is not the case, because there is no money at all in the Budget for the Better Connectivity program in 2027-2028. It is not possible to fund a program using zero dollars.”
Mr Tehan said it was time the government was honest about the axing of funding to the Mobile Black Spot Program.
“The Albanese Government is not being up front with people especially in rural and regional Australia who rely on the program,” he said.
“We can see again that the Albanese Government is not serious about improving mobile connectivity in country areas.
“It was the Coalition in Government which set up the Mobile Black Spot Program and once again we see Labor crab-walking away from supporting it.
“Minister Rowland must reverse her decision to defund the Mobile Black Spot Program and ensure that regional communities have the same connectivity rights as the rest of Australia.”
Speaking with the Cobden Timboon Coast Times, Ms Rowland said the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) was an important program which “continues to support regional, remote and First Nations communities through co-funding new and improved mobile connectivity”.
“The program has not been cut, and we are delivering funding to the program through our $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan.
“This is a separate appropriation line in the Budget Paper, to the funding of earlier rounds of the MBSP (rounds 1 to 5A) and the government’s election commitment funding.
“The government has already delivered a number of program rounds through this Better Connectivity Plan funding; including round 7 of the MBSP, Round 3 of the Regional Connectivity Program, the Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation Program, Round 1 of the On Farm Connectivity Program, the Broadcasting Resilience Program, an extension to the Regional Tech Hub services, and the National Audit of Mobile Coverage.”
Ms Rowland said further funding was available in the Better Connectivity Plan for new rounds of the MBSP – including Round 8.
She said the government expects to open this round later in the year.
“In addition, the government has established the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review to examine the adequacy of regional Australia’s telecommunications, including hearing from people in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia,” Ms Rowland said.
“The government has also been consulting publicly over the past six months on modernising the universal services arrangements.
“While this work is ongoing, the government continues to deliver on its commitments through the Better Connectivity Plan – including further rounds of the MBSP.”