REGIONAL Queensland can expect improved mobile connectivity under a new plan to fix mobile black spots in the bush.
LNP deputy leader Deb Frecklington said $20 million would be sourced from the LNP Royalties for Regions plan as part of the LNP’s New Deal for Regional Queensland.
Ms Frecklington traveled to both Roma and Goondiwindi to make the announcement in the run up to the November 25 election.
She said regional Queensland deserved fair access to quality technology.
“Our New Deal to build a better future for regional Queenslanders is about delivering much needed infrastructure that improves the lives of families and retirees,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Poor mobile reception is one of the prices paid by Regional Queenslanders because for three years the Palaszczuk Government has done nothing to fix it.
“Royalties for Regions is about ensuring that regional Queensland receives its fair share of funding and services that families expect.”
LNP Member for Warrego Ann Leahy said that Labor had neglected the regions for three years including mobile black spot funding.
“It was revealed in July that Labor only spent a quarter of the allocated budget for their Mobile Black Spots Program in the last year,” Ms Leahy said.
“People in Brisbane would be marching in the streets if they had to suffer through what regional Queenslanders deal with on a daily basis.”
LNP candidate for Southern Downs, James Lister, said there were many agricultural businesses, particularly to the west of Goondwindi, that suffered from poor connectivity.
“It’s not just the difficulty that poor connectivity represents in doing business, it can also make it difficult to attract and retain staff,” Mr Lister said.
“Many young people are very keen to work in agriculture but they also expect to be connected.
“This is part of our plan to better support local families and Build a Better Queensland.”