The new Communications Minister was tight-lipped about which areas would next benefit from NBN towers when he visited the Border on Wednesday.
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Mitch Fifield spoke to councils in Wodonga, Wangaratta and Benalla about the rollout of the Federal Government’s NBN and mobile blackspot programs.
His predecessor, now Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, oversaw the installations of 499 NBN towers, including 30 in Indi, during round one of the program.
Mr Fifield will open submissions for round two later in the year before deciding who will get a slice of the $60 million on offer.
“There’s never a substitute for meeting with the community,” he said.
Mr Fifield said he would look for submissions that benefited emergency services and worked with state governments or telecommunications providers.
He was not daunted by filling the shoes of a man who has gone from the communications portfolio to prime minister, calling Mr Turnbull his “minister mentor”.
The visit comes the day after Indi MP Cathy McGowan pleaded with the Federal Government to fund recommendations from a telecommunications review including subsidising regional services and increasing the NBN footprint.
Indigo Shire Mayor Bernard Gaffney joined Mr Fifield and Indi Liberal candidate Sophie Mirabella on their trip around North East Victoria.
“It was good to have the opportunity to put forward the hopes and the aspirations of our communities,” he said.
He said business, economy and tourism were vital industries that needed quality access to internet and mobile phone coverage.
Indigo Shire had pushed for roads from Wodonga and Wangaratta into its region to have full mobile coverage.
Cr Gaffney said he felt confident of improvements in that area after Mr Fifield’s positive attitude.
The minister was in the region on the invitation of Mrs Mirabella, who said she was pleased the government has continued with funding for the blackspot program.
“It’s so critical, particularly for emergency situations,” Mrs Mirabella said.
Ms McGowan said she has written to Mr Fifield to request a meeting, but was not invited on Wednesday.
“I’m really pleased he’s come,” she said.
“I’ll be holding him to account now.”
