THE HON EMMA MCBRIDE MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL HEALTH
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR DOBELL

HAVE YOUR SAY ON DESIGN OF ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS RESILIENCE PROGRAM

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to improve the resilience of communications services across regional, rural and remote Australia, with locals in Dobell encouraged to have their say on the draft guidelines for Round 2 of the $15 million Mobile Network Hardening Program (MHNP)

The Program aims to reduce the risks of service outages and improve restoration times during natural disasters in impacted communities by funding projects like portable generators, power back-up upgrades and physical tower hardening. Its design will be informed by feedback from regional Australians, community groups and the telco industry to ensure the final guidelines meet the needs of communities at-risk of natural disasters.

Funding for further rounds of the MHNP was confirmed in the October 2022–23 Federal Budget as part of the Albanese Government’s $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.

In total, the Albanese Government is investing $2.2 billion in regional communications – the most significant investment in this critical area since the inception of the National Broadband Network.

Round 1 of the MNHP funded approximately 1,000 projects nationwide – with 461 already complete.

Consultation on the Round 2 guidelines is open until Monday 29 May 2023 at 5pm AEDT. To view the draft guidelines or to make a submission, please visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say

For more information on the Albanese Government’s Better Connectivity Plan, visit infrastructure.gov.au/bcp

For more information on the Mobile Network Hardening Program, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/phone/mobile-network-hardening-program