Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

WALLACE () (): Building infrastructure which boosts our digital and mobile connectivity is crucial if we want to encourage growth in our regions. Mobile phone reception has been a big problem for the communities within my electorate of Fisher. In six years, the coalition delivered mobile phone service upgrades from Conondale to Caloundra South, from Glenview to Glass House. We didn't just talk about digital infrastructure; we actually built it.

But there's more work to do. Alongside my community, I've been fighting for better mobile phone reception in the Glass House Mountains, Beerburrum and Beerwah areas. I've spoken with service providers and put the Sunshine Coast hinterland at the top of the list of every relevant grant process. When the government had the opportunity to fix the problem, they opted instead to play politics. Nearly three-quarters of upgrades were in Labor seats, at the expense of communities in need. What a disgrace! Once again we have a federal Labor government abandoning regional Australians for petty political games.

Madame Deputy Speaker, I do want to take this opportunity to welcome to the chamber all of the veterans with whom we today commemorated the 50-year anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Thank you for joining us today.