28 April 2014

Federal Government and Department of Communications delegates will be in Wamboin next week to listen to residents’ concerns about mobile phone blackspots. 

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor will host Parliamentary Secretary Paul Fletcher on visits to Wamboin and Boorowa next Tuesday May 6.

“Paul Fletcher is responsible for rolling out the Government’s $100 million Mobile Coverage Programme and is keen to hear first hand about the impacts of poor mobile coverage on local businesses and households,” Mr Taylor said.

“A call to Hume constituents to speak up on poor mobile reception has resulted in a list of problem areas to show the Parliamentary Secretary. Wamboin, although less than 30 minutes drive from Canberra, was included on the tour because it has virtually no mobile coverage. The hilly topography is the main problem, so we have to plan around this. 

“Boorowa was chosen as a central location to a number of areas which are all struggling with poor coverage. We’ve had reports of small businesses losing customers, constituents concerned about being unable to call for help and issues for rural fire brigades and emergency services alerting residents.”

Mr Taylor said the Department of Communications was still accepting nominations of locations to be included in a database of areas with poor or no mobile coverage. Locations can be emailed to mobilecoverage@communications.gov.au

“The meeting in Wamboin will be invitation only to keep things to schedule – but I will be making the Parliamentary Secretary well aware of all locations in Hume that have reported issues,” Mr Taylor said. “This is a strong opportunity for us to fix a major deterrent to business growth in Wamboin and I intend to secure the best possible outcomes.”  

Constituents seeking further information on the 6 May visit by Parliamentary Secretary Paul Fletcher are encouraged to call the Goulburn electorate office of Angus Taylor on 4822 2277.