Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) recognises the importance of reliable communications services for rural and regional Australia;

(2) notes the launch of the Sky Muster satellites in 2015 and 2016 as a way of connecting rural and regional Australia to the National Broadband Network; and

(3) congratulates NBN Co on the introduction of the Sky Muster Plus service, providing unmetered data for activities including some web browsing, select emailing and PC and Smartphone operating system software updates.

Communication is essential to life. While urban and metropolitan Australians often take access to digital and mobile communications for granted, those of us who live in regional and rural settings find ourselves frequently unable to access a reliable signal or internet connections. Farming communities across my electorate of Mallee are frustrated when connection to the internet or getting a phone signal is a struggle. People who live in regional and rural communities deserve to have access to digital connectivity as much their counterparts in the city do.

I have 561 blackspots in Mallee, and I will continue to advocate for more base stations to be established. Reliable and accessible phone and internet connections play a vital role in every aspect of our regional lives. They allow farmers access to global markets for their products, networking with agronomists and other agricultural specialists to improve their business, and to complete business needs, such as superannuation. In remote communities, they also increase access to services, such as School of the Air and telehealth. The future of telehealth cannot be overestimated, in terms of saving lives, breaking through the hazards of isolation, and saving patients' time, money and energy.

The National-Liberal government's Mobile Black Spot Program is making significant inroads in improving connectivity for many in the regions, with new base stations and towers being installed. I was very pleased to be with the Deputy PM, Michael McCormack, and Minister Coulton recently to announce the 750th black spot tower at Nullawil in Mallee, one of the 41 installed or in the final stages of installation across Mallee.

Improved mobile coverage isn't a solution that only most businesses need. I recently had discussions with NBN Co to make sure they understand that everyone across Mallee should be able to access the NBN as quickly as possible. This may happen through a range of mixed technologies, be it a fibre solution, fixed wireless, Sky Muster or Sky Muster Plus. These connections are vital.

The launch in 2015-16 of the Sky Muster satellites signalled that, as a nation, Australia was taking the next important step towards delivering broadband internet to every Australian, especially those in rural and remote settings. Countries such as South Korea, with a population density of 503 people per square kilometre, make delivery of technology both cost-effective and commercially attractive. In comparison, Australia's population is 3.1 people per square kilometre, which presents significant challenges for the commercial viability of technology and the cost of infrastructure.

The Sky Muster service is an innovative way to deliver broadband internet to those living in remote areas of Australia. This service has resulted in better quality and speed at a lower price point. However, as with many new technologies, its initial rollout had its flaws. The government received feedback from a wide variety of users since the rollout of Sky Muster. This feedback highlighted issues with the amount of data available to users. Data caps have been an issue for regional small businesses and families on satellite services, and performing everyday tasks is a challenge once users hit their monthly data cap.

I am pleased that NBN Co has responded to these issues and introduced Sky Muster Plus. The government welcomes this product as an important step forward for regional Australians who use the Sky Muster satellite service. It reflects the government's unwavering commitment to supporting regional Australians. Sky Muster Plus delivers peace of mind for rural and remote Australians by providing unmetered data usage for essential broadband activities such as completing schoolwork, banking, accessing health or government services, keeping software up to date and simply staying in touch with work, friends and family.

Those who rely heavily on broadband connectivity can now access these essential services in the knowledge that they will not contribute to a household's monthly data allowance, and they can continue to access these services even if their monthly data limits have been reached. Minister Coulton told me that he uses Sky Muster Plus himself and that it is much better than the original Sky Muster. The Sky Muster Plus service is a great example of the flexibility of the NBN satellites, delivering tailored products to allow consumers— (Time expired)

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