Member for Barker and Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Tony Pasin MP has said today’s $40 million announcement by Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland MP is a huge blow to Barker’s mobile blackspots.
The $40 million Improving Mobile Coverage Round (IMCR) delivers on election commitments to fund Mobile Network Operators and Infrastructure Providers to deploy new mobile infrastructure at 54 target locations across Australia.
Of these 54 locations, not one is in Barker.
“Looking through the list of 54 Target Locations, it strikes me that many of these locations appear to be in marginal or Labor held seats,” Mr Pasin said.
“This is incredibly disappointing for the hundreds of locations across Barker that are struggling with mobile coverage.”
The Coalition made great headway in addressing the mobile black spot issue, delivering more than 1,270 new mobile base stations across Australia, including 30 in Barker over its three terms in Government.
“Last time Labor was in Government they invested $0 and delivered 0 new mobile phone towers for Barker and in 2023 it appears nothing has changed,” Mr Pasin said.
“A functional mobile phone service is no longer a luxury it is a necessary business tool and in the case of regional communities it is also a key piece of safety equipment.”
“Communities across Barker deserve access to mobile phone service just as much as those living in Labor or marginal seats,” Mr Pasin said.
“I’ll continue to fight for local communities in Barker to receive the mobile coverage they deserve,” Mr Pasin said.
Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8724 7730
