Barry Haase (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As the member for Durack, which covers 63 per cent of Western Australia—about one-quarter of this nation—I rise to speak today about some equity for the bush. We are now listening to a government talking about the NBN providing an incredible service to city dwellers, while my mob still cannot use the simple, popular, common mobile phone. I have black spots around my electorate that you would not believe. Highway 1 runs around Australia, including through my electorate, for some 2,000 kilometres and yet for hundreds of kilometres at a time on that very popular and major highway there is no mobile coverage. This causes amazing problems for emergency responses to horrendous accidents. There are mining companies aplenty each side of that highway. The number of black spots for mobile coverage is inexcusable and something must be done. Very reasonable, hardworking people who pay their taxes and expect to get the same services in my electorate that they get in the cities around this nation deserve recognition. It is costly, but it is equitable to do so, and it is certainly time that a caring government that cares in times of natural crises also cares for my people in times of emergency. (Time expired)