By PETER DOUGLAS
FEDERAL Communications Minister, Mitch Fifield, has weighed in on debate over mobile coverage in the Yarra Ranges, taking aim at claims from Labor candidate for Casey, Hovig Melkonian.
Mr Fifield spoke to the ‘Mail’, questioning Mr Melkonian’s comments made to the newspaper that Labor supported their Mobile Black Spot Program, but would extend the package if elected.
Mr Melkonian also claimed the roll-out of the program was skewed towards Coalition-held seats, also saying only 21 of the 416 towers rolled out had been switched on.
The candidate made the statements after Casey MP Tony Smith and Minister for Regional Communications, Fiona Nash, announced funding for four new mobile phone base stations in the Yarra Ranges.
However, Mr Fifield said Mr Melkonian’s statements were “grand claims” and Labor had no plan in place.
“Labor didn’t spend a dollar on mobile black spots in six years in government,” he said.
“Labor still haven’t committed to our $100 million dollar round one program that will deliver two new base stations in Casey at Steels Creek and East Warburton that are fully funded and in planning.
“And Labor still haven’t committed to our $60 million in round two.”
As a condition of a Coalition win in the 2 July election, the base stations announced will be built at Mount Evelyn, Chum Creek, Reefton and Kalorama.
Mr Fifield said Labor had only been mildly positive towards round three.
“Tony Smith has worked hard and he and I will guarantee and will deliver,” he said.
“Vague words of support from the Labor candidate won’t cut it.
“Labor’s national headquarters needs to put it in black and white.”
The projected round three of the Mobile Black Spot Program sets out locations for between 100 and 150 towers that will cover roughly 900 mobile coverage black spots.
In response to Mr Fifield’s comments, Mr Melkonian said there was nothing vague about Labor’s commitment.
“I’m puzzled that Minister Fifield is playing politics with a bipartisan commitment to additional funding for the Mobile Black Spot Program,” he said.
“I support the announcement for building new mobile base stations in Reefton, Chum Creek, Kalorama and Mt Evelyn.
“Labor will build those mobile base stations; nothing vague about it.”
Mr Melkonian said that, more broadly, Labor supports the allocation of an additional $60 million to the Mobile Black Spot Program.
“It isn’t a grand claim to state that only 21 of the 499 round one towers had been switched on as of May 2016 – it’s a fact,” he said.
“I think Minister Fifield is trying to distract voters from the Abbott/Turnbull Government’s failure to deliver communication resources that are desperately needed in the Yarra Valley.”
