{"id":349017,"date":"2024-06-06T14:09:24","date_gmt":"2024-06-06T04:09:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=349017"},"modified":"2024-06-06T16:09:38","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T06:09:38","slug":"government-not-up-front","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/06\/06\/government-not-up-front\/","title":{"rendered":"Government Not ‘Up Front’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Member for Flynn Colin Boyce says the Federal Government is not being “up front” about mobile phone black spot funding (Photo: Flynn Electorate Office)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

June 6, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Member for Flynn Colin Boyce says the Federal Government has “falsely claimed” the Mobile Black Spot Program has not been cut to zero.<\/p>\n

“The Communications Minister (Michelle Rowland) has been attempting to argue that the program has not been defunded,” Mr Boyce said.<\/p>\n

“But the facts are that the Budget papers show that zero funding has been allocated for the Mobile Black Spot Program in 2027-28 and they specifically refer to the ‘conclusion’ of the program.*<\/p>\n

The Federal Government has previously stated the Mobile Black Spot Program – for which $45.9 million has been allocated for 2024-25 – has been rolled into its Better Connectivity Plan, a five-year plan also due to end in 2027.<\/strong><\/p>\n

After this, funding will be determined by the results of community and industry consultations, including the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review and a review into the Universal Service Obligation.<\/p>\n

An audit of mobile coverage and capacity is also being undertaken to better identify mobile coverage black spots and improve coverage maps.<\/p>\n

However, Mr Boyce says the government is not being “up front” with people in rural and regional Australia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can see again that the Albanese Government is not serious about improving mobile connectivity in the regions,” he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt 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.”<\/p>\n

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