Independent Federal Member for Indi Dr Helen Haines MP has announced policies to improve regional telecommunications, building on a strong record of new mobile phone towers, NBN upgrades, and telecommunications investments across the northeast.
Announcing her regional telecommunications policies for the 2025 election in the King Valley Town of Cheshunt today, Dr Haines said that “while we’ve had success over a number of years in delivering improve phone and internet coverage, there’s much more work to be done.”
“Under Independent representation, Indi has had a huge uplift in telecommunications infrastructure.
“Indi has been the most successful Victorian electorate under the Mobile Blackspot Program, with more than 65 mobile towers built or upgraded since 2013. But we still have areas with poor coverage and that’s something we need to keep working on.”
Since first being elected in 2019, Dr Haines has worked with the Indi Telecommunications Advisory Group (a consultative group of nine local governments, Telco representatives, and community members) to secure new mobile phone towers right across Indi.
Dr Haines’ policy platforms include:
- regulations to require that all mobile phone towers in bushfire prone areas have at least 24 hours of power backup;
- A Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund that enables local government and community groups to invest in local, place-based telecommunications projects.
Dr Haines said that when mobile phone towers and internet systems don’t have sufficient backup power, entire towns can become cut off. This is especially dangerous during emergencies like fires or floods if people can’t contact emergency services and each other.
Her plans would ensure that Telstra and Optus are required to install at least 24 hours of power backup at all towers servicing high bushfire risk areas.
Project would be co-funded through the existing Mobile Network Hardening program, by way of funding telcos to deliver a set list of upgrades provided by future governments.
Dr Haines said her plan would support regional towns across Australia including Indi towns like Cheshunt, Harrietville, Tolmie, Eskdale, Toolangi, and Marysville.
“By requiring all towers in remote areas to have at least 24 hours backup, we will increase our resilience and keep businesses and communities online – even when the power goes out.”
“Telecommunications outages in remote areas like Whitfield and Cheshunt in the King Valley puts lives at risk and creates a huge frustration for locals and businesses.
“Poor telecommunications are a barrier to prosperity and create significant challenges for our communities in times of emergency. We must increase resilience now, before the next fire or flood arrives, not after.”
Dr Haines’ announcement reflects a recommendation made in her submission to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review. Dr Haines recommendation for mandatory power backup was recommended in the Committee’s final report.
Dr Haines call for a Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund will cost $50 million a year and is funding she says should be embedded in the budget program for years to come.
The program would encourage communities to propose the solution that fits their geography, needs and capabilities, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
“Currently, local governments and community organisations are locked out of the Government’s main telecommunications investment programs and this is something we need to fix.
Dr Haines said the Jamieson Energy Node was a model project for the fund, which was funded after the Black Summer bushfires to build telecommunications resilience. Regardless of the conditions and without solar generation, the battery stores up to 3 days of autonomous power to give access to satellite internet in time of need.
“By giving local community groups, emergency service organisations and local governments the opportunity to invest in local telecommunications solutions like satellite internet with battery backup, regional communities will be more resilient and prepared when the next fire, flood or storm arrives.”
“I will continue to be a loud and leading voice to close the digital divide and ensure regional Australians are not forced to accept second-rate telecommunications. It’s 2025 and we must do better.”