Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Hunter for his question. He knows the importance of connectivity across regional communities. Whether you're in the outback, on the coast or in our mountains, it's completely frustrating when your phone drops out even doing the most basic of tasks. Improved connectivity not only keeps people in touch with one another it means safer roads, stronger businesses and access to key services. That's why our government is committed to improving communications in the bush. We're delivering the better connectivity plan, investing $1.1 billion in rural and regional communities. And we're delivering a $3 billion injection to upgrade Australia's remaining fibre-to-the-node network, because we recognise that fast, reliable, affordable internet is an essential building block of any modern economy. We also want to ensure that the NBN stays in public hands, where it belongs.

This government is boosting mobile connectivity through round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program, including in Cessnock and Cooma in New South Wales, Townsville in Queensland and Mount Barker in South Australia. These upgrades improve connectivity for regional areas that are at risk of natural disasters, and we aren't relying on a colour-coded spreadsheet, unlike those opposite when they were in government. Of course, just last month, we announced that we're rolling out AusAlert. AusAlert uses cell-broadcast technology to enable authorities to send targeted emergency messages to all compatible mobile devices within a 160-metre radius of an incident, moving Australia to international best practice for emergency warning communications adopted by more than 35 countries across the world. We are improving connectivity through our universal outdoor mobile obligation as well. It is a significant and important reform to bring mobile services within the universal services framework. Whether in national parks, on hiking trails or out on the farm, we want your connectivity to be accessible.

Our Labor government is building the infrastructure and services regional communities rely on, and the biggest risk to this progress is a Liberal-National coalition always inventing new ways to take Australia backwards, as they did with a copper broadband. Our vision is clear. We want a connected Australia. No matter where you live or what you do, you deserve the ability to connect. I know that yesterday the former leader of the Nationals, the member for Maranoa, resigned saying he was 'buggered'. Buggered is exactly what those opposite did when they stuffed the NBN, inland rail, the infrastructure investment pipeline, regional grants, the North Sydney "regional" pool—the list goes on. Unlike those opposite, we are energised, and we are excited to be delivering for regional Australia.

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