Federal MP puts blackspots back in spotlight

Member for Barker Tony Pasin has renewed his push for Federal Government funding to improve mobile telecommunications across the electorate following almost 500 local residents reporting mobile blackspots to his office in just over a month.

Mr Pasin said the overwhelming response was a clear indication of the Federal Government’s failure to deliver basic telecommunications services in the regions.

“A mobile phone is no longer a luxury. It’s a key piece of safety equipment and vital for doing business,” Mr Pasin said.

Mr Pasin said the Albanese Labor Government has no credibility when it comes to addressing mobile blackspots and after two years in Government Labor has been shutting down the 3G network and failed to fund and construct any new mobile base stations.

“After more than two years of the Albanese Labor Government mobile reception in Barker is now considerably worse than it was under the former Coalition Government,” Mr Pasin said.

While the telecommunications companies gave their commitment that 3G-only areas would not be disadvantaged and would not experience a loss of coverage as a result of the switch off, Mr Pasin said the proof has certainly been in the pudding.

“The Albanese Labor Government has overseen the 3G switch off which has left many areas of Barker with diminished or no service,” he said. “At the same time, Labor has failed to fund and build any new base stations to increase 4G coverage prior to the 3G switch off.”

In stark contrast, under the former Coalition Government, more than 30 new mobile base stations were funded and built in Barker, helping to improve mobile coverage for thousands of regional residents.

“I simply don’t trust the Labor Government on regional telecommunications and while I’ve been fighting for a list of locations in Barker to receive new mobile base stations through Federal Government funding programs, this list has now grown significantly under Labor,” Mr Pasin said.

“In 2022, Anthony Albanese promised no one would be left behind under the Albanese Labor government. Unfortunately, it seems he wasn’t talking about regional Australia,” Mr Pasin said.