Northern Victoria Region
Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (13:05): (1010) My constituency question is for the Minister for Regional Development. What action has the state government taken to ensure that regional Victorians are not left without telecommunications coverage once access to the 3G network is cut off by Telstra on 31 August and Optus in September? An interim report released by the federal government has recommended a delay of the shutdown and an audit of the number of customers impacted. In parts of my electorate residents are concerned as they rely on 3G to operate irrigation and farm machinery, for medical devices, to call emergency services, to do their banking and to stay connected with family and friends. Can the minister please advise what action has been taken by the state government to ensure that residents living in rural and regional areas in northern Victoria will not be disadvantaged by the 3G network shutdown?