REGIONAL TELCO REVIEW UNDERWAY

Membership of a committee set up to review the progress of the Federal Government’s investments into telecommunications in rural and regional Australia was announced today, with the review process expected to start immediately, Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said. Senator Nash said members of the community will have the chance to make a submission or speak with the committee during their consultations – all part of identifying areas in need of additional government funding. “The Nationals have long supported the need for ongoing reviews surrounding telecommunication standards and services in rural and regional areas,” Senator Nash said. “Technologies are constantly evolving and the Government must ensure country communities are not left behind when it comes to telecommunications, which is why The Nationals secured the $2 billion perpetual Communications Fund to provide an ongoing income stream to fund infrastructure and services in rural areas. “Around $400 million – the interest earned from the fund – will be spent next year in areas identified by the committee in need of further funding. “Labor has threatened to abolish the Communications Fund to pay for a metropolitan broadband network, however the Coalition has moved to ensure this can never happen with legislation expected to pass through the Senate this week protecting the principal of the fund to ensure Labor can not deny rural and regional communities the funding they deserve.” The first Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) will be chaired by Dr Bill Glasson and will include Mr Mark Needham (National Farmers Federation), Ms Alexandra Gartmann (CEO Birchip Cropping Group), Ms Josephine Stone (NT Law Society executive) and Cr Bruce Scott (Mayor of Qld shire of Barcoo). “The members of the committee bring with them a wealth of knowledge both from a rural and telecommunications perspective and I have every confidence in their ability to identify the areas the Government can continue to build on in providing world class telecommunication services for all Australians, regardless of where they live,” Senator Nash said. Media contact: Julie Siegert 0429 818 600

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