Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, , 3:03:12 to 3:07:40
Debate over funding levels for regional connectivity programs and government support for terrestrial mobile networks in the budget.
Topics: Government spending, Infrastructure
Speakers: Senator Nita Green, Senator The Hon Sarah Henderson, Senator Varun Ghosh, Mr Sam Grunhard
I've raised continuing concerns about the savage cuts to regional connectivity programs by the government in the last budget. So the 206-27 budget shows that while 116 million is being provided under the better connectivity regional programme, the funding falls to 32.1 million in 2728, 16.8 million in 2089, and just 780,000 in 2930. How will the government support terrestrial mobile networks in the context of these drastic budget cuts?
Thank you, Senator. So I know we discussed these budget figures at budget estimates. So there are a range of programs still underway or rolling out as we speak, including you'll be aware that we just ran the on-farm connectivity programme, the we have the upcoming Regional Roads Australia mobile programme, all under that funding.
Look, perhaps this is more a matter for the Minister because I'm asking how will the government support terrestrial mobile networks in the context of these savage cuts. So this goes to the government's decision to savagely cut regional connectivity programs. How will they be supported by government if all the funding is being cut?
Well, thanks for the question, Senator. We are not cutting funding to regional telecommunications. It includes a thousand projects that are either being delivered or in progress. We've funded 480 million dollar upgrade to the NBN fixed wireless and satellite technologies and 2.4 billion for the MBM upgrade. And if you do live in a regional community like mine, you know that the state that the coalition left the NBN in was a really distressing situation for people in regional communities. We've delivered two rounds of the on-farm connectivity program totalling 30 million dollars in grants, and there will be a there's a further round to go. And we've provided 50 million dollars to state and territory governments to deliver pilot. Sorry, I have the call. Well, sorry, I've got I've got the call.
Minister, this is when we've provided 50 million dollars. Are you not addressing my question? Because the explain I have the call.
Alright, sorry.
Now I have the call. When I start talking, please stop so that I can adjudicate these disputes as they arise. So as I see it, the minister is completing her answer. She's entitled to do that. She hasn't gone over long in the context of it. And then we'll come back to you, Senator Henderson, for actually we won't come back to you. I'll move the call after this answer.
Just one a couple more things because it is really important to get this on the record given the commentary from the Senator. We've provided $50 million to state and territory governments to deliver the pilot projects under the Regional Roads and Australia mobile programme. And on top of what we've delivered, we are also looking towards what we will deliver in the future, which includes funding for over 100 new and upgraded towers. We've locked in funding for an additional 450 resilience upgrades. And as I said, delivering the on-farm connectivity program. And of course, we recently passed the legislation on the universal outdoor mobile obligation. I would not describe that billion dollar investment as a savage card to regional communities.