Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

I was in the process of saying that so afraid were the Labor Party to interrupt their cosy little relationship with Telstra that they could not even raise a whimper of support for the protection of rural and regional Australians. Mr Rudd and his union mates should stand condemned today for their abject failure to stand up for consumers around Australia when it comes to mobile phone coverage. In contrast, the government makes no apologies for putting consumers first when considering the regulation of Australia’s telecommunications industry.

The government understands that good mobile coverage is not an optional extra; it is vitally important. People living in regional and rural Australia can be absolutely assured that this government will continue to stand up for their interests and deliver them the services they need and want.