House debates

Monday, 12 February 2018

Private Members' Business

Mobile Black Spot Program (Question No. 858)

Photo of Stephen JonesStephen Jones (Whitlam, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) Share this | | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Communications, in writing, on 04 December 2017:

Are there any milestones for the commencement of construction and commencement of operations of base stations built under the Mobile Black Spot Program; if so, what are they.

Photo of Paul FletcherPaul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities) Share this | | Hansard source

The answer to the member's question is as follows:

There are no milestones for the commencement of construction. The Mobile Black Spot Program funding agreements with the mobile network operators (MNOs) have performance targets for the completion of the rollout:

      The rollout sequence is being determined by the MNOs based on various factors, including obtaining local government planning approval, landowner agreement where necessary, and access to existing infrastructure, power and backhaul.