Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell MP, is demanding the Albanese Government provide adequate funding to improve communications coverage in Nicholls after Labor seats were favoured in the last round of the Mobile Blackspot Program.

Mr Birrell met with Shadow Minister for Communications, David Coleman today in Avenel to speak with business owners and residents about efforts to improve mobile and internet coverage in the growing area.

Mr Birrell said there’s a clear need for the Government to fund upgrades in Nicholls and not just in seats that favour Labor voters.

“Mobile Blackspot funding should target need and not politics,” Mr Birrell said.

“Mobile black spots are not only frustrating for regional and remote residents but are also potentially dangerous.

“As the regions continue to grow, the Government needs to continue to support mobile coverage in areas of need, not just political favours.”

Mr Coleman said draft guidelines for the Mobile Black Spot Program show that every dollar of the program in
Victoria and NSW is set to be spent in Labor electorates.

“The locations were recently hand-picked by the Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland, under Round
6 of the Mobile Black Spot Program,” Mr Coleman said.

“We’ve seen only three projects selected in Victoria plus 27 in NSW all going to ALP-held electorates.

“The figures shows that more than $22M would go to Victorian and NSW projects in Labor seats.

“This funding monopoly in Victoria and NSW represents more than half of the $40 million spending in the
entire Round 6 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.”

Mr Birrell said he will continue to fight for telecommunications funding for Nicholls.
“Regional communities deserve fast, reliable and affordable telecommunications and where black-spots exist
they should be fixed,” he said.

“Businesses especially should not have to endure payment terminals that can’t connect or calls that
disconnect.”