The Federal Liberal government has “dudded” rural communities within the Light Electorate by not providing funding for mobile tower stations in Wasleys and surrounding districts.

Following the devastating 25 November 2015 Pinery Fires, Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo lobbied the State Government to provide a financial contribution to help secure a commitment from the Federal Liberal Government better mobile voice and wireless broadband coverage in rural and regional communities.

Mr Piccolo said the South Australian government committed to contributing $2 million to the second round of the Mobile Black Spot Programme. The Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Programme provides funding to Mobile Network Operators to build new mobile base stations in regional locations, with $60m allocated nationally for round two.

Under the programme, the Mobile Network Operators – such as Telstra and Optus – submit applications directly to the Federal Government for funding to build new base stations. The Federal Government determines which sites will be funded. The South Australian Government will contribute $1.3m to the 15 sites chosen by the Federal Government.

“Sadly, of the 20 sites funded through the program, all are in Federal Liberal electorates,” said Mr Piccolo.

“The Turnbull Government has failed to address mobile black spots in communities that were impacted by the Pinery Fires.

“During last year’s federal election campaign, the Liberal Party promised to fund nine base stations in three of its South Australian electorates.

“Just prior to Christmas, Federal Regional Development Minister Fiona Nash announced that only three of these would go ahead.

“A September 2015 Australian National Audit Office report heavily criticised the Turnbull Government’s operation of the programme.

“The report found the programme provided poor value for money and the government largely ignored non-Coalition seats, despite the need for more mobile service bushfire-prone areas.”

“The State Government is committed to working with the Federal Government to improve mobile coverage and competition in regional areas and we will continue to advocate for more base stations to be built in the state,” he said.

“The safety of the community in my rural areas is of paramount importance to me.”