Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question and acknowledge his incredible, longstanding efforts for the people of regional Australia. I am absolutely delighted to stand here today and advise the chamber that this morning, with the Prime Minister, I announced round 2 of the coalition's mobile phone black spot program—a further $60 million invested into expanding our mobile phone black spot program.

It is not only the $60 million. With the telecommunications companies and state and territory governments leveraging around an extra $150 million, we have seen a total of $213 million invested into expanding mobile phone coverage across this country. There are 266 new base stations, which is a great achievement. This will provide new or upgraded coverage across rural and regional communities—6,300 homes and businesses will now have new or upgraded coverage—and 17,700 square kilometres across Australia's land now has increased or new mobile phone coverage. We have seen 1,900 kilometres of our major roads now covered and able to get mobile phone coverage. In round 2 we have now addressed 1,400 black spots where we did not have coverage before.

Senator Ian Macdonald interjecting—

I will take the interjection from Senator Macdonald who said, 'That is just amazing.' Thank you so much, Senator Macdonald. This is a great outcome driven by the coalition and driven initially, I might say, by the Prime Minister as communications minister and continuing to be driven by him as the Prime Minister. We have achieved great outcomes for people in regional Australia.