Labor has requested the Auditor-General investigate specific issues surrounding the Abbott Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program, including investigating the transparency of the selection process and how the funding was awarded. 

This comes as the Program was labelled “a bloody disgrace” in today’s Adelaide Advertiser.

The Abbott Government’s approach to mobile coverage has always been about politics.

More than 80 per cent of the locations for new mobile phone towers announced are in Liberal or National electorates with less than seven per cent in electorates held by Labor members.

As foreshadowed earlier this year, Labor has asked the Auditor-General to investigate; the Program’s selection criteria, how the success of the Program is measured, issues around competition and issues around the timing of the Government’s announcement.

Labor will also be making further comments in relation to the Australian National Audit Office’s performance review into the Program.

FRIDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2015