Independent Member for Indi, Helen Haines, is encouraging individuals and community groups to take part in a federal government review examining the existing and future telecommunication needs of regional communities.

The Regional Telecommunications Review is held every three years to investigate equitable access to telecommunications services across regional Australia.

“This review is an opportunity for people across Indi to tell the federal government directly about the challenges they face because of poor phone and internet services,” Dr Haines said.

“Since becoming the Member for Indi, I have worked tirelessly with local communities, councils and other organisations to improve phone and internet connectivity in key affected areas.”

Dr Haines helped to secure a public consultation for the review in the electorate of Indi at the Benalla Town Hall on May 3.

“Regional communities are held back by unreliable NBN coverage, mobile phone blackspots and slow internet speeds during peak holiday periods,” Dr Haines said.

“We should not have to settle for second-rate telecommunications. Reliable internet and mobile phone coverage are not ‘nice to haves’ – our modern society relies on them to run businesses, work from home, study and access crucial healthcare services.”

Anyone impacted by poor services is encouraged to attend the public consultation on Friday 3 May at the Benalla Town Hall from 10:00am to 11:30am.

Tickets can be reserved at https://events.humanitix.com/vic-regional-telecommunications-independent-review-committee-benalla-public-hearing.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 25 April 2024.