Today’s commitment of a further $60 million to the Mobile Black Spot Program by the Coalition is positive news for areas of rural and regional Australian, which have languished for years without adequate coverage, according to the National Farmers' Federation (NFF).
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NFF President, Brent Finlay, said while today’s announcement from Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, and Minister for Regional Communications, Fiona Nash, was extremely positive the NFF would continue to campaign for a commitment from both sides of politics to fund the Program on an ongoing basis.
“A reliable mobile phone service is absolutely critical to business success, education and personal safety in our rural and regional communities and for far too long these areas have not had connectivity that is in any way acceptable,” Mr Finlay said.
“We wholeheartedly welcome this $60 million commitment from the Coalition but must also reiterate that ongoing funding is required to provide telecommunications infrastructure co-investors with certainty.
“For Australia to continue to be the world leader in agricultural innovation, basic mobile coverage is not a luxury but a necessity.”
“This would also demonstrate to regional Australians the Coalition is serious about comprehensively addressing this important issue in the long-term."
