The federal Labor Government is missing in action over $140 million of investment in regional communications, announced under round two of the Coalition's Regional Connectivity Program, according to a south-west politician.
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan is calling on the government to urgently confirm it will deliver the three projects in Wannon including new macro cell sites at Orford, Maroona and Noorat.
"Prior to the federal election, the Coalition government announced it would provide this vital funding for the communities of Orford, Maroona, and Noorat, delivering a major boost in regional connectivity for those areas," Mr Tehan said.
"Our community has been waiting over three and a half months for the Albanese Government to confirm that this project will proceed and so far, we have heard nothing. This is just not good enough.
"These grants were decisions of government. The Labor government's failure to confirm this funding has the potential to put these projects at risk, along with third party project funding committed by telecommunications companies and state governments."
Opposition Communications spokeswoman Senator Sarah Henderson congratulated Mr Tehan on advocating for the communications infrastructure needs of his community.
"The three projects in Wannon along with the other 90 projects across Regional Australia are so important to close the digital divide across our country," she said.
"They include new and improved mobile, voice, and data coverage as well as fixed wireless, fibre, and satellite broadband service upgrades across regional, rural and remote Australia.
"In failing to confirm these projects, including the funding for each project and the timeline of delivery, Labor is showing its contempt for regional Australia"
A federal government spokeswoman said the funding commitments would be honoured.
"The minister has previously confirmed an intention to honour grants awarded under the Regional Connectivity Program, including round two," the spokeswoman said.
"Formal announcements will be made in due course once proper procedures have been completed.
"Labor's pre-election commitments under the Better Connectivity Plan also included additional major regional communications investments including $200 million for further rounds of the Regional Connectivity Program, $400 million for multi-carrier mobile coverage on regional roads and improved coverage for regional communities"
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