The Morrison Government continues to invest in regional and remote telecommunications, to ensure that all Australians, no matter there they live, have access to communication services for business, education and staying in touch with families.
Federal Member for Durack, the Honourable Melissa Price welcomes new funding for the Kimberley for 2 new base stations to improve connectivity across the vast region.
“This week, new funding was announced for the Kimberley for two new base stations to improve connectivity across the vast region. Additional to our previous and ongoing investment in Durack services, a new base station at Embulgan near Broome and another at Kadjina in the West Kimberley will benefit from the latest Round 5A funding under its Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) outcomes,” she said
“In the previous 12 months I am proud that we have also invested almost $7million in 17 Kimberley locations in the well-received Regional Connectivity Program (RCP including to Halls Creek, Bidyadanga, Jigalong and Kalumburu. A program specifically designed and funded by the Morrison Government which is designed to assist and deliver place-based solutions that solve regional connectivity issues,” Ms Price said.
I take issue at recently reported comments by the McGowan Government Transport Minister Rita Saffioti that “she would speak to her Federal counterparts about much needed upgrades to the Kimberley’s network coverage”.
“My office has heard nothing on this issue from the minister. The facts are, that many of these ongoing frustrating telecommunication issues are caused by power blackouts. A failure by the government to supply the power necessary for the telecommunication bases to operate, something the state government is entirely responsible for,” Ms Price said.
“It is the McGowan Government and Minister Rita Saffioti missing the point. It needs to be doing some work to solve these power supply issues for the people of the Kimberley,” Ms Price said.
With the ongoing power blackout problems across Durack, and the resulting failure of base stations, the Morrison Government’s Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program, has funded and installed 12-hour back-up batteries to 13 Kimberley locations.
The Morrison Government continues to fund improvements to mobile coverage and connectivity in Northern Australia. Under the MBSP to date, the Government has committed $34 million (GST exclusive) to fund 181 mobile base stations across northern Australia, including four under Round 5A. In the 2021-22 Budget, $68.5 million in dedicated funding was allocated to improve telecommunications infrastructure across Northern Australia through the MBSP and the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
Please see investment list attached.
ENDS.
Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.
