Federal Labor Drops Dawson From Their Improving Mobile Coverage Round

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox is calling on the Federal Government to further extend the Improving Mobile Coverage Round [IMCR] following Dawson completely missing out.

The IMCR will deliver funding to extend and improve mobile phone coverage and competition in regional and remote Australia, by co-funding new or upgraded telecommunications infrastructure in 54 target locations with up to $40 million available.

Mr Willcox said it is extremely disappointing to see Labor completely forget about Dawson in their announcement.  54 locations across Australia have received a funding allocation, and Dawson has been completely left out despite having areas in Dawson with very little to no mobile service.

“Queensland only received funding for 4 out of the 54 locations identified and I just don’t understand it. In 2023, communication has never been more important,” Mr Willcox said

“Mobile phone coverage funding is a necessity and shouldn’t be a luxury only for those living in the cities. Dawson punches well above its weight when it comes to contributing taxes to our Government, yet we lack services and infrastructure.”

“We have places suffering terrible mobile service in Dawson, like Slade Point, Beaconsfield, Merinda, Kuttabul, Bloomsbury, Dittmer, Crystalbrook, Cunjulla, Giru, Gnome and Cape Gloucester just to name a few. This is a major safety concern for residents living with minimal and unreliable mobile service.”

This news follows the disappointment of Federal Labor slashing $37.5 million in funding from the Mobile Blackspots Program in their October budget.

“This just isn’t good enough and I will continue to hold the Labor Government to account and advocate for better mobile coverage across the Dawson electorate,” Mr Willcox said.