Joint Release with Rick Wilson MP, Member for O'Connor: O’Connor MP highlights mobile phone Blackspots

The Federal Member for O’Connor, Rick Wilson, today welcomed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher MP to Manjimup, to hear from constituents about issues with mobile phone blackspots.

Many problem areas in the south west region were highlighted at the meeting held at the Manjimup Shire Council offices.

Mr Wilson said the people in attendance came not only from Manjimup but from wider afield to put forward their points of view.

“The visit enabled Mr Fletcher to hear first-hand accounts from constituents about areas of concern.”

Mr Wilson said improved mobile communications was a key issue he wanted to correct on being elected to Parliament.

“Wherever I go in the electorate, locals raise with me their concerns about mobile phone blackspots,” he said. “I invited Mr Fletcher and it was a terrific opportunity for those with issues to highlight them directly with the member of the Coalition Government working to tackle this issue.”

The Mobile Coverage Programme is an Australian Government initiative to extend mobile phone coverage and competition in regional Australia by investing in telecommunications network infrastructure.

The programme has two components: $80 million will be provided under the Mobile Network Expansion Project to improve mobile phone coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in locations prone to experiencing natural disasters.

An additional $20 million under the Mobile Black Spots Project is to address unique mobile coverage problems.

While the closing date for submissions on best ways to deliver the program was February 28, the Department of Communications continues to accept nominations of locations to be included in a database of areas reported to have poor or no mobile coverage. These can be emailed to %20Communications/Speeches/TEMPLATES%20docs/[email protected]">[email protected].

Mr Wilson said Mr Fletcher’s visit would help add to this database which will be shared with mobile carriers and other parties to assist them in preparing funding proposals.