General News
6 March, 2024
Tehan questions Timboon internet funds
MILLIONS of dollars in funding from internet services in Timboon and Birregurra have been cut, according to Member for Wannon Dan Tehan.
In a joint statement with Mr Tehan, Shadow Minister for Communications David Coleman and Shadow Minister for Emergency Services and Shadow Minister for Housing Richard Riordan, it was maintained round one projects of the Regional Connectivity Program had been “axed”.
Mr Tehan said people living in regional Australia deserve access to fast, reliable internet.
“The government cannon justify scrapping this funding which is critical to regional Victoria.
“Residents, who have been waiting years for these upgrades, have not been consulted nor even informed of the cuts.”
Mr Tehan said the Regional Connectivity Program, which the Coalition Government established, was designed to solve rural connectivity problems.
“It would have encouraged population growth in regional Victoria, supported growth in tourism, health and agriculture, enabled improved access to education and telehealth services in the communities, and encouraged city dwellers to move to regional Victoria,” he said.
“This is another broken promise from Labor which will hit rural Victorians in need.”
Mr Coleman said the scrapping of the projects in Victoria comes after Minister Michelle Rowland reportedly selected locations in Labor seats for improved mobile coverage under the Mobile Black Spot Program.
“The Auditor-General is now investigating the Mobile Black Spot Program after Minister Michelle Rowland directed funds into Labor electorates,” he said.
“In Round six of the program, the Minister supported only three projects going to Victoria out of a total of 54, and all of the Victorian funds went to Labor seats. NSW got 27 projects, and again, every single one was in Labor seats.
“There are serious questions for the Albanese Government to answer over its handling of the Mobile Black Spot program, and the scrapping of the project in Victoria is another example of how Labor is treating local communities badly when it comes to improving mobile coverage.”
However, a spokesperson for the Minister for Communications disputed the claims.
“The government has been advised by NBN there have been challenges facing the implementation of RCP-funded projects in Timboon and Birregurra,” the spokesperson said.
“Instead, locals in the region will see improved connectivity through the NBN’s Fixed Wireless Upgrade Program, supported by the $480 million budget contribution from the Albanese Government.