Labor is facing new scrutiny over its dodgy mobile black spot funding to ALP seats with plans for an inquiry to investigate the affair.
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman is seeking the support of the Greens and other cross-bench senators for the investigation.
It would probe how 40 out of 54 locations for funding to boost mobile reception went to ALP seats, despite the ALP only holding a minority of regional electorates.
“We’ve seen that 74 per cent of the grant allocations are going to Labor seats, despite the ALP holding only 33 per cent of regional electorates,” Mr Coleman said.
“It is clear that Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, has hand-picked the locations for funding to benefit her Labor colleagues.
“Her excuses so far on how and why the ALP seats dominated the funding just don’t stack up. They don’t pass the pub test.
“People in areas of need for improved mobile services expect the funding to be based on merit, not from special deals done with their Labor candidates.”
Mr Coleman said a motion to refer this matter for investigation by the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee will be lodged today and voted on tomorrow.
“Under the draft terms of reference, the inquiry would examine the role of the Minister and her office in instructing her department to fund Labor seats. It would also consider the impact on communities which were excluded from the Improving Mobile Coverage Round.”
The Hon. David Coleman MP
Federal Member for Banks
Shadow Minister for Communications