During the election campaign I advocated for better mobile phone coverage across Corangamite, and I am continuing that push as the Member for Corangamite.

I am prepared to stand up and fight for communities across Corangamite that currently have inadequate mobile phone coverage.

It is understandable that people are frustrated that temporary mobile phone signal towers will be used in their towns only to be taken away again after the conclusion of the Great Victorian Bike Ride.

Telstra needs to be mindful of the importance of looking after country communities.

I call on Telstra to keep the temporary mobile phone signal towers in Gellibrand and Birregurra for the summer, particularly when bushfire risk is such an issue throughout the Otways.

I am writing to Telstra’s south-west Victoria general manager Bill Mundy to request that Telstra does the right thing and keeps the towers in place.

If it’s good enough for visiting cyclists, then it’s good enough for small businesses, farmers and families living in these towns.

I have invited the Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull, and his Parliamentary Secretary, Paul Fletcher, to visit the region to meet with local residents about this issue.

The Coalition Government has a $100-million commitment to improve mobile phone black spots across the country.

Applications will open for the programme in 2014.

I am fighting very hard to ensure that Corangamite receives its fair share of funding to fix mobile phone black spots.

26 November 2013