Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Dandenong Ranges telecommunications infrastructure

Daniela DE MARTINO (Monbulk) (19:16): (868) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Consumer Affairs, and it relates to the critical issue of telecommunications across the Dandenong Ranges in my electorate of Monbulk. Last week I met with senior representatives from Optus and Telstra to continue advocating for better mobile phone resilience across our region. This is an issue which has impacted our community for far too long, with many areas experiencing poor or no mobile coverage when we experience prolonged power outages. As I have said many times before, not being able to make a call is inconvenient at best and it is life-threatening at worst. I have also been in discussion with federal colleagues, pressing for real solutions to these telecommunications black spots and blackouts. I know our minister has been working hard on this issue as well, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge the impact that these efforts are having. Recently the federal Minister for Communications the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP, who is wholly responsible for telecommunication regulation and policy, announced the outcomes of round 2 of the federal mobile black spot program, and this included funding awarded to mobile solutions for Emerald and Lilydale, which will provide much-needed new or upgraded mobile infrastructure and will help improve mobile coverage in our area.

I would also like to take a moment to recognise the work of the late Senator Linda White, who was a fierce advocate for the Emerald community. In her submission she made it clear that mobile black spots in and around Emerald Secondary College were a critical issue, particularly given the area’s vulnerability to bushfires, flash flooding and storm events. The school has a category 2 fire classification, and Senator White emphasised how crucial it is for students, staff and families to be able to reliably reach emergency services when needed. Given this progress, I ask the minister to provide an update on what further action the Victorian government is taking to advocate for additional federal support to ensure telecommunications infrastructure continues to improve and can withstand prolonged power outages.