Commonwealth Welcomes WA Government's Commitment to Mobile Coverage

Paul Fletcher MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications, has today welcomed the WA Government’s $45 million commitment to deliver the Regional Mobile Communications Project, as outlined in the WA State Budget 2014-15 yesterday.

 “The announcement by the WA Government notes that there is an emphasis on improving mobile communications capability, and also a widening focus on higher-bandwidth fixed broadband services in regional areas,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The Abbott Coalition Government has committed to spend $100 million nationally on improving mobile coverage in outer metropolitan, regional and remote communities.”

“The WA and Commonwealth Coalition Governments have held constructive discussions about coordinating the selection process under the two programmes to choose locations to be funded for new mobile phone base stations in WA.”

Mr Fletcher said the Commonwealth Department of Communications issued a discussion paper regarding the Mobile Coverage Programme in late 2013 and has received a very strong response from local councils, state and territory governments, and other interested parties backing the programme.

“We are determined to work constructively with potential partners to deliver the best possible outcome for regional and remote Australians living without adequate mobile coverage,” Mr Fletcher said. “By working together, I am confident that the Commonwealth and WA Governments will be able to make a difference for WA’s regional communities,” Mr Fletcher said.

More information on the Commonwealth’s Mobile Coverage Programme is available on the Department of Communications website at www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_coverage_programme