South West Coast will have better mobile coverage under a Liberal National Government, Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell says.
An elected Liberal Nationals Government will invest $30 million over four years in telecommunications infrastructure that improves mobile coverage and competition across Victoria.
Mrs Britnell said the Liberal Nationals would get on and improve Mobile coverage in areas like Hawkesdale, Gorae West, Woolsthorpe and Broadwater.
She said while the Labor government were happy to come and take photos in areas where mobile coverage is poor – they have failed to do anything about the problem.
“We’ve got CFA Brigades who can’t communicate in times of emergency. The Minster came to visit, had his photo taken, but didn’t make any commitment to improvements,” she said.
“Telstra were forced to abandon a plan to future proof and improve mobile phone and emergency services radio coverage in the Koroit region because of political pressure from the Regional Development Minister and the so called independent member James Purcell.
“On St Patricks Day I experienced firsthand not being able to get information about bushfires because of poor mobile phone coverage. We can and must do better, especially in fire prone areas like South West Coast.”
Mrs Britnell said a Liberal Nationals Government would make it a priority to invest in better coverage in Regional Victoria, including in areas prone to bushfire, along transport routes, key agribusiness areas and in communities with limited telecommunications access.
Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria and Decentralisation Peter Walsh said the Victorian investment program would leverage co-investments from federal and local governments, service providers, businesses and communities.
“There are too many places across our State where communications services aren’t up to scratch and if a Liberal Nationals Government is elected we’re determined to invest and change that,” Mr Walsh said.
“In this digital age where the internet, smart phones and technology dominate, it is absolutely critical that families and businesses in rural and regional areas have reliable telephone and internet services.
“We’re determined to get rural and regional Victoria connected and if we are elected, we’ll get the job started with this $30 million investment.”
