“Is this the real objective here – to kick farmers while they are down, forcing farmers to sell so Mallee can be further converted into an industrial wasteland of transmission lines, mines, panels and turbines?”, Dr Webster said.

Discussion on drought impact in western Victoria and South Australia, drought assistance and hay donations, push for zero-interest loan periods from Regional Investment Corporation, biosecurity inspection fee waivers

Discussion on new regional mobile connectivity via satellite, flood and drought assistance, push for zero-interest loan periods from Regional Investment Corporation

At this stage Telstra customers can only send SMS text messages via the satellite on Samsung Galaxy S25 handsets but the successful trial means there are strong hopes voice calls direct to device will be possible by 2027.

“This is the biggest breakthrough we’ve had in regional communications for some time. I’ve been talking about working through satellite as being the only real solution for a long time,”

The Albanese Labor Government must re-start the unfinished inquiry into the sustainability of over 530 Australian shires and councils as soon as Parliament returns late next month, Shadow Minister for Local Government Dr Anne Webster MP said.

Discussion on drought, importing hay and biosecurity, Regional Investment Corporation support for farmers, Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, net zero

"In 2020, the Coalition introduced a 2-year interest free period for loans up to $2 million for farmers experiencing hardship during the drought, allowing refinancing of existing debt for breathing space"

I met this last week with Telstra executives to talk about mobile black spots and internet dropouts in the region, as part of my new role as Shadow Minister for Regional Communications.