Mary Aldred (Monash, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Regional communications and digital connectivity are critical issues for my electorate of Monash, and I commend my Victorian colleague the member for Mallee for her very strong advocacy and efforts to promote these issues. I am passionate about securing better mobile connectivity and communications infrastructure in Monash. The coalition walks the talk on this. The Albanese Labor government does not.

During the recent election I was joined by the Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley, in Korumburra to announce a commitment of $3 million to address mobile black spots across South Gippsland, West Gippsland and Bass Coast. Of course I'm disappointed that the coalition is not in government to deliver this. You don't need to go far to know why this commitment had such major support right across my electorate. I spoke to the local florist in Korumburra—a fantastic business, by the way—about her challenges talking to customers placing orders and having the phone drop out. Everyone in South Gippsland knows that, when you leave Korumburra heading to Leongatha, nine times out of 10 if you're on the phone it will drop out just past the timber yard as you leave town. Although, it seems to happen to me 10 times out of 10.

Mobile connectivity is a major challenge for small businesses, families and community organisations right across my electorate and beyond, and it's something that I believe needs to be addressed as a major national challenge. Unfortunately, regional Australia too often finds itself in Labor's no-care zone. It's something I have a long-term track record of advocating for in my electorate. Over a decade ago, when I was CEO of the Committee for Gippsland, I initiated one of the first Gippsland digital connectivity master plans to map out major mobile black spot and digital connectivity challenges.

The gap between metropolitan and regional Australia is widening, not closing, on critical infrastructure under this Labor government. Connectivity is a prime example. Even the OECD agrees. Last week the OECD released its report Closing broadband connectivity divides for all: from evidence to practice, and the findings are stark. While this government loves to talk a big game on its NBN performance, the OECD findings have a different take. In fact, they are particularly critical of the growing discrepancy between metro and rural broadband performance. There is still a lack of reliable high-speed infrastructure in many parts of regional Australia. We're not just talking about access here. Regional Australians have a right to demand metrics based on quality in digital and communication infrastructure as well. This means talking about not just where a property is technically able to access a service; it should be able to count on a benchmark of other metrics as well, including speed and consistency in connectivity.

One of the points the OECD makes very well in its report is that Australia is one of a group of countries that, whilst having extensive networks of broadband, is still struggling with the challenge of equality of access in regional areas. There could be no clearer message to this government in this report. The coalition is on a mission to eliminate mobile black spots from regional Australia, and I know how much advocacy and effort my good colleague the member for Mallee has invested on this front. Under the former coalition government, 1,295 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. I know how important this is for small business owners especially.

We won't stop there, because on this side of the Chamber we appreciate that much of Australia's wealth is generated in regional Australia. To continue to grow, make and manufacture goods and services the rest of Australia and, indeed, many parts of the world rely on us for, we need to be connected. The Albanese Labor government is holding regional Australia back through its lack of investment and proper support for digital connectivity. It is disconnecting us from a stronger, better future. I have no hesitation in saying on this front that regional Australia deserves so much better.

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