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.<\/p>\n
Corangamite Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson has fired back, saying Labor is turning its back on regional towns.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In Corangamite, 14 towers \u2013 Apollo Bay, Barongarook, Barwon Downs, Carlisle River, Cape Otway, Dereel, Kawarren, Gellibrand, Steiglitz, Yeodene, Separation Creek, Kennett River, Horden Vale and south Lorne \u2013 have been funded through the MBSP\u2019s first two rounds.<\/p>\n
Another four \u2013 Birregurra, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Bellbrae \u2013 were to be built in round three, with a tender process announced in November.<\/p>\n
Federal Labor claimed last year that Victoria was being short-changed in the MBSP\u2019s third round, with only 19 of 125 planned towers to be built in the state.<\/p>\n
Last week, Mr Dalidakis said there had been a lack of transparency in how the MBSP sites had been chosen.<\/p>\n
\u201cMalcolm Turnbull continues to choose sites that are in his political interests, not the interests of regional Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are putting regional Victoria first \u2013 helping people stay connected in their homes, at work and when they\u2019re travelling.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, Ms Henderson said Labor\u2019s decision was \u201cdisgraceful\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn abandoning base stations funded under round three, Labor has turned its back on the people of Birregurra, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet and Bellbrae.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of these communities are in areas of high fire danger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one more example of the Labor Party turning its back on regional communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite being in government for six years, federal Labor did not spend a single dollar on improving mobile phone coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n