Tony Abbot says $A80m of this money would pay for mobile network expansion along major transport routes, in small communities and in locations prone to natural disasters.
Australian farmers have welcomed the pledge, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) saying it would improve the lot of farmers in rural and remote communities.
Farmers have called for improvements in mobile coverage for years, says NFF president Duncan Fraser. This is the first pledge of big investment in rural mobile coverage at a federal level in years, he says.
“For farmers, mobile phones are integral to business operations and personal safety. [This would help] farmers participate in the digital economy.
“Farmers spend most of their day outdoors, often far from their homes and landline phones. Access to secure mobile phone coverage means they can conduct their basic business from the paddock and get immediate assistance in, say, bushfire or accident.”
Australians will vote on September 7. Abbot is the leader of the Coalition – the Liberal Party he leads and the Nationals, who represent rural Australia.
The Labour Government is launching the National Broadband Network (NBN) to improve telecommunications. Abbot says he won’t abolish the NBN.
Fraser says both major parties, through the NBN, have committed to improving conditions for rural and regional communities through fixed, wireless and satellite broadband services.
