Minister Misleads Regional Radio Listeners on Mobile Black Spot Program
Must Come Clean on Abolition of Funding
Minister Michelle Rowland has been caught out, falsely claiming in a regional radio interview that funding for the Mobile Black Spot Program has not been cut to zero by the Albanese Government.
In an interview with Sounds of the Mountains radio yesterday, Ms Rowland was asked about funding for the Mobile Black Spot Program. The Budget Papers show that zero funding has been allocated for the Mobile Black Spot Program in 2027/28, and specifically refers to the “conclusion” of the program.*
Asked about the issue, Minister Rowland told host David Eisenhauer that:
“The Budget Papers need to be read as a whole, not in isolation, and the Budget papers clearly show that the program is being funded through the Better Connectivity Plan, so the assertion that’s being made is absolutely wrong.”
Unfortunately for Minister Rowland, the Budget papers reveal that this is not the case.
In 2027/28, funding is cut to zero for not only the Mobile Black Spot program but also the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. Minister Rowland has said that the Mobile Black Spot Program will be funded by the Better Connectivity program. But that is not the case, because there is no money at all in the Budget for the Better Connectivity program in 2027/28. It is not possible to fund a program using zero dollars.
Shadow Minister for Communications David Coleman said that Minister Rowland needs to make accurate statements about her own Government’s Budget.
“Minister Rowland should treat all media outlets with respect, no matter how small or local,” Mr Coleman said.
“The Minister’s claim on Sounds of the Mountains is demonstrably false. People are able to read the Budget papers, which clearly show zero funding for both the Mobile Black Spot and Better Connectivity program. Minister Rowland must reverse her decision to defund the Mobile Black Spot Program.”
* (Sources: PBS p.70 and BP1 p.220.)
Shadow Minister for Communications
Member for Banks
Hon David Coleman MP