Three vital programs key to keeping regional Victoria connected face the axe, with the Albanese Government attempting to rush through funding for political gain before cutting the initiatives altogether.
Details hidden deep within Budget documents reveal the Mobile Black Spots program will be cancelled, while the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia and the Peri-Urban Mobile Program will be robbed of funding.
But Senator for Victoria, Sarah Henderson, said the government would first use the programs for political points pumping more cash into each scheme ahead of the next election.
“The Albanese Government is up to its old tricks,” Senator Henderson said. “Injecting these programs with taxpayer funds for the photo opportunity before ruthlessly swinging the axe.”
Budget papers confirm the Mobile Blackspot Program will end in 2026/27.
In addition, there is no allocation of funds 2027/28 for the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia or the Peri-Urban Mobile Program.
Senator Henderson said Labor has already used the Mobile Black Spot Program for political purposes in the lead up to the last election when it made numerous promises for Labor seats.
“It’s no surprise that the Auditor-General carried out an investigation into Labor’s Round 6 funding of the MBSP and we look forward to his report on that affair, later this month.”
Under the former Coalition government, 1295 mobile black spots were funded to provide improved mobile coverage for communities to stay connected, access essential services like health and education and conduct business.
The base stations are essential for improving coverage in regional areas, particularly disaster-prone areas and along major transport corridors and included seven in Ballarat, five in Bendigo, 25 across Corangamite, one in Corio and 47 in Indi.
By contrast, the Labor Government had funded just four locations in Victoria.
Senator Henderson said the government was playing politics by ramping up funding for mobile connectivity just in time for the coming election year before the money runs dry.
“Funding for the Mobile Black Spot Program will nearly triple ahead of polling day, but then all three programs won’t receive a cent in 2027/28,” Senator Henderson said.
Funding the Peri-Urban Mobile Program is also forecast to jump from just $700,000 in 2023/24 to $30.5 million in the 2024/25, the election year.
Funding for the Better Connectivity Plan will more than double in the lead up to the election from $101.8 million in 2023/24 to $228.4 million in 2024/25.
“It’s clear that the Labor Party is once again lining up to use telecommunications funding for blatant political purposes ahead of the coming election.
“Improving connectivity for people in both the bush and those living on the outskirts of major cities is critical and shouldn’t be at the whim of the Albanese Government’s political strategy.
“The Minister for Communications needs to explain why she is abolishing the Mobile Black Spot Program while failing to provide long-term funding for other mobile connectivity programs that so many Australians rely on.”
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*1 Source: Budget Paper 1 – p.220
*2 Source – Department PBS – p.70