Every community in Australia should be connected by digital infrastructure, including small towns surrounding Bendigo.
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Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie confirmed this as her view at Bendigo Railway Station on Thursday.
“We’ve just put another $25 million on the table for the mobile blackspot program, round four, which is fantastic news for communities like Bendigo,” Senator McKenzie said.
The electorate of Bendigo received no funding in rounds two or three of the blackspot program. Known blackspots include areas around Sedgwick, Lockwood, Woodend and Mount Macedon.
Of the total federal funding allocated to base stations in previous rounds of funding, 81.7 percent went to base stations in Coalition-held electorates.
Just 6.8 percent went to base stations in electorates held by the Australian Labor Party.
Senator McKenzie denied that this was pork-barrelling but rather, that it was a result of the political ties of the regions which are in blackspots.
“I can’t help the fact that the majority of regional Australians vote for the National party and the Liberal party,” she said.
Of the Victorian federal electorates outside of Melbourne, six are held by the Australian Labor Party and nine by the Coalition.
The federal government announced funding for round four of the program was announced on June 10. The selection process is due to begin in the second half of 2018.
Senator McKenzie emphasised the importance of high quality communication connections in allowing decentralisation of population to regional areas.
“When we talk about decentralisation, having access to fast reliable mobile internet, is absolutely critical. It is no longer an added extra,” she said.
Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters weighed in with a statement issued on Thursday afternoon, saying Central Victoria had been “left behind” during round three of the mobile blackspot funding.
“I’m cautious to welcome any announcement by this Minister or this Federal Government,” she said.
“Ms McKenzie should outline how much of this funding will actually be allocated to Bendigo and Central Victoria. The Senator must show Bendigo the money.”