Black Spot scheme expanded
The Federal Government has detailed the latest $60 million round of its Mobile Black Spot Program.
Round 2 should see another 266 new and upgraded mobile base stations in regional Australia, covering some 1,400 black spots, the government says.
The Government contribution is part of a total $213 million to be spent in Round 2, which includes funding from state and local governments, mobile network operators (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone), businesses and community organisations.
The new and upgraded base stations will be spread around the country: NSW (39), Victoria (32), Queensland (76), Western Australia (78), South Australia (20), Tasmania (6) and Northern Territory (15).
The Opposition says it supports the black spot program, but has criticised the geographic targeting of the funding.
Labor says the funding allocation has been politicised, with just 11 per cent of base stations funded in the second round located in Labor electorates.
“With bushfire season fast approaching, it beggars belief that rural electorates like Wakefield and McEwen, which have experienced devastating fires, have again been short changed and in the case of Wakefield completely overlooked – again,” said a statement issued by the shadow minister for regional communications, Stephen Jones.
The Coalition says the disparity comes from the fact that it is more popular in regional areas where funding is needed.