Victoria disconnects from Mobile Black Spot Program

VICTORIA has dropped out of the joint state-federal Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP), again claiming the Coalition is playing favourites with which sites are being chosen.

Corangamite Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson has fired back, saying Labor is turning its back on regional towns.

Last week, Victorian Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis announced Victoria would not be putting in the $11 million it had previously earmarked for round three of the MBSP.

Instead, the state government will partner with the telecommunications industry to build towers in regional blackspots, in addition to the 25 towers it has previously announced it will build in partnership with Optus.

In Corangamite, 14 towers – Apollo Bay, Barongarook, Barwon Downs, Carlisle River, Cape Otway, Dereel, Kawarren, Gellibrand, Steiglitz, Yeodene, Separation Creek, Kennett River, Horden Vale and south Lorne – have been funded through the MBSP’s first two rounds.

Another four – Birregurra, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Bellbrae – were to be built in round three, with a tender process announced in November.

Federal Labor claimed last year that Victoria was being short-changed in the MBSP’s third round, with only 19 of 125 planned towers to be built in the state.

Last week, Mr Dalidakis said there had been a lack of transparency in how the MBSP sites had been chosen.

“Malcolm Turnbull continues to choose sites that are in his political interests, not the interests of regional Victoria.

“We are putting regional Victoria first – helping people stay connected in their homes, at work and when they’re travelling.”

In response, Ms Henderson said Labor’s decision was “disgraceful”.

“In abandoning base stations funded under round three, Labor has turned its back on the people of Birregurra, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Bellbrae.

“Many of these communities are in areas of high fire danger.

“This is one more example of the Labor Party turning its back on regional communities.

“Despite being in government for six years, federal Labor did not spend a single dollar on improving mobile phone coverage.”