Senate debates

Monday, 20 March 2023

Committees

Environment and Communications References Committee; Reference

3:39 pm

Photo of Wendy AskewWendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Hughes, I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 5 September 2023:

Allocations of grant funding under the Improving Mobile Coverage Round (IMCR) of the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP), with particular reference to:

(a) advice provided by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts to the Minister for Communications in relation to the MBSP generally and specifically the IMCR;

(b) the role of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts in recommending locations for the IMCR;

(c) the role of the Minister for Communications and her office in relation to the locations selected for the IMCR;

(d) communications with communities seeking funding from the MBSP, including communities who sought to be included in the IMCR but were excluded; and

(e) any other related matters.

Photo of Andrew McLachlanAndrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Askew standing in the name of Senator Hughes concerning a reference to the Environment and Communications References Committee regarding grant funding under the Mobile Black Spot Program be agreed to.