In a rare moment of consensus, Riverina’s leading federal election candidates have agreed on the need for better mobile phone and broadband services.
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But there was no consensus in how to deliver that outcome.
It follows a regional leaders debate in Goulburn between Barnaby Joyce, Joel Fitzgibbon and Richard Di Natale. They were at loggerheads over the National Broadband Network (NBN) and mobile black spots.
The incumbent Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the recent announcement of $60 million for regional mobile black spots – on top of an earlier $100 million, was evidence of the Nationals’ dedication to the region.
“It’s an investment in farmers being able to reach markets when they’re on the tractors,” Mr McCormack said.
“It’s not just about convenience or commercial needs but about safety.”
He highlighted Dirnaseer and Wantabadgery as areas which needed attention.
Mr McCormack said the government took the same approach to broadband, prioritising areas which needed it.
“We looked at towns where there was little connectivity, the ALP had fibre to the press release, they never had the means or capacity to roll it out,” he said.
“(The NBN) is being rolled out far sooner than the Labor Party would have achieved.”
Riverina Labor’s Tim Kurylowicz said the party welcomed funding for regional black spots but labelled it a “drop in the ocean”.
“The Coalition are kidding themselves if they think it will solve all the problems,” Mr Kurylowicz said.
“There’s over 500 black spots in the Riverina electorate according to Telstra.
“If their party had not sold Telstra we could have relied on a national provider. Instead we’re now paying a private company.”
Mr Kurylowicz took aim at the NBN and said it wouldn’t meet expectations.
“Malcolm Turnbull promised a minimum of 25 megabits a second, and now that’s the maximum and the costs have blown out and doubled,” he said.
“(And) there’s no guarantees that it will stay as fast as city internet into the future.”
The Riverina Greens candidate Kevin Poynter said it was disappointing the nation was being lumped with a cut-price version of the NBN.
“When you talk about innovation and creating jobs, why wouldn’t you prioritise high-quality electronic communications?” Mr Poynter asked.
“If you’re interested in innovation and growth, you’ve got to invest in infrastructure that includes high-quality internet access and communication networks.
“That’s the future of regional Australia.”