Connectivity Impacts Productivity
Independent member for Murray Helen Dalton said travelling the electorate during the election campaign has highlighted the inadequacies and poor performance of the digital network.
Declining connectivity is severely affecting rural communities and impacting on educational opportunities, business productivity and rural health outcomes.
“You don’t have to go to far down the road and your phone is practically useless and getting worse. We have people who can only access the internet if they stand still in one spot and don’t move while some families and areas have no access at all, ” Mrs Dalton said.
Mrs Dalton said it is time government addressed connectivity and invested in rural communities.
“Digital connectivity is nation building infrastructure and Murray is a significant economic driver especially when it comes to agriculture and manufacturing, two industries that require reliable connectivity,” Mrs Dalton said.
Digital connectivity in rural areas has been declining over recent years.
The Australian Medical Association last year appealed to government to improve mobile phone coverage and internet connectivity.
Mrs Dalton said a recent Australian Institute report found Far West residents are more likely to die five years earlier than their city counterparts, missing out on essential lifesaving telehealth and care treatments because of poor connectivity is contributing to these statistics.
A 2021 regional telecommunications review emphasised the importance of a reliable, modern and high quality digital platform while the 2022-23 Federal budget committed $2.2 billion to upgrade regional networks, including $200 million for the Regional Connectivity Program and $30 million for the Farm Connectivity Program.
Mrs Dalton wants this investment to target some of the many blackspots across Murray.
“The Griffith region alone contributes around $6billion to the economy and this figure could easily increase if we had better digital connectivity.
“Telco’s could also help by utilising each other’s infrastructure to improve customer service,” Mrs Dalton said.