Paul Fletcher & Greg Hunt Joint Release: Flinders electorate provides feedback to Mobile Black Spot Programme

Today we were pleased to meet with stakeholders, councils, businesses, Victorian members of parliament and other key figures in the Flinders electorate to discuss the Government’s $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme.

The Mobile Black Spot Programme is an Australian Government initiative to extend mobile phone coverage and competition in regional Australia – the first time that the Australian Government has allocated funds to this objective since the Coalition was last in Government.                                                                                                                 

“I invited Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher to the electorate to meet with local council representatives, state representatives, stakeholders and community members to discuss mobile black spots in the region,” Mr Hunt said.

“I hope Mr Fletcher will consider the input from those who attended today, along with submissions from the broader community when implementing the Government’s $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme.”

Mr Fletcher has been to many community meetings around Australia to gather community feedback on mobile coverage issues and to discuss how the Programme will operate.

“The input received today will be included in the database we are maintaining of areas reported to have poor or no mobile coverage,” Mr Fletcher said.

The Mobile Black Spot Programme will improve mobile coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in locations prone to experiencing natural disasters, as well as addressing unique mobile coverage problems.

Mr Hunt said improving mobile black spots would enhance community safety in the region.

“Lives can depend on accessing mobile phone networks in emergencies, so expanding mobile phone coverage has clear benefits to public safety – as well as to the business capacity of regional communities,” Mr Hunt said

“Many parts of the Flinders electorate are popular tourist destinations, so improving mobile phone networks in these areas would have a major impact for residents and visitors.”

The Government is accepting nominations of mobile black spots until mid-July 2014. To report a black spot, email [email protected]