Communities across the Yarra Ranges have been neglected by Labor in its recent round of the Mobile Blackspot program, with Labor prioritising funding in their own seats.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland has chosen Labor electorates for 40 of the 54 available grants under the Improving Mobile Coverage Round of the Mobile Black Spots Program.
Federal Member for Casey, Aaron Violi said the Improving Mobile Coverage rounds were initiated by the previous Coalition government to ensure all Australians had access to mobile coverage.
“It’s an absolute disgrace that Labor is playing politics with peoples lives. In my community, access to mobile phones and telecommunications can be the difference between life and death,” he said.
“We saw the importance of a stable communications network during the Black Saturday bushfires and again more recently in the June 2021 storms when 3,000 of my constituents were without power, internet or phone access for months on end.
“Residents and business owners in my electorate are fed up with poor mobile coverage. The Labor Government has a duty to all Australians, not just those in Labor-held electorates.
“It’s time Labor realised that lack of mobile coverage is a major safety issue and stopped playing politics with peoples lives.