The Australian National Audit Office has today issued a damning report on the Government’s handling of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
This $220 million programme is supposed to improve public safety and expand mobile phone coverage across Australia.
However, more than 80 per cent of the locations for new mobile phone towers announced are in Liberal or National electorates with less than seven per cent in electorates held by Labor Members.
The ANAO report, tabled in Parliament this afternoon, found that:
• The delivery of the programme didn’t deliver value for money for consumers.
• Insufficient attention was paid to local issues and community need.
• A series of “awareness forums” conducted by the Government only benefited Coalition-held seats.
Mr Hart has today said that the Coalition has questions to answer on the Mobile Black Spot scheme.
“The Government has made lots of noise about fixing mobile black spots. But this report confirms that the priority for site selection was politics, not community need.
“This isn’t good enough; mobile black spots are a real problem for many communities across Australia, including those vulnerable to natural disasters like bushfires.
“The ANAO report should be a wake-up call for this cynical Government. They have ignored non-Coalition held seats and neglected to properly manage a programme that has serious flaws.”
Mr Hart promised that Labor was committed to fixing mobile black spots in all corners of Australia.
“What we want to do is place a far greater emphasis on a fair distribution of funds.
“We will make sure that areas affected by natural disasters are given strong consideration, especially where human safety is at stake.”
ROSS HART MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS
