The Nationals WA have condemned the Federal Government for allowing Telstra to abandon its social responsibility, leaving countless rural and remote Western Australians disconnected following the shutdown of the 3G network last month.
Leader of The Nationals WA, Shane Love MLA, has called for urgent intervention to address the unacceptable position faced by regional communities, where poor connectivity now poses significant safety risks and disrupts critical services.
Regional residents and businesses have inundated Mr. Love’s office with reports of unreliable or non-existent service since the shutdown.
“Telstra’s decision to shut down the 3G network without providing adequate alternatives has left regional WA stranded,” Mr. Love said.
“This is not just a failure of technology—it’s a failure of responsibility. Connectivity is not a luxury; it is an essential service, particularly in areas prone to bushfires or with limited access to health services.”
“From Eneabba in the Midwest, Keysbrook in the Darling Scarp to Scaddan and Esperance in the south, families, farmers, and small businesses are grappling with dropped signals, dysfunctional equipment, and increased isolation.”
“Farmers report that critical machinery reliant on mobile networks, such as GPS systems, is now unusable, delaying essential operations during harvest. Small business owners have been forced to contend with constant “network issues,” hindering cloud-based services like MYOB.” Mr Love said.
Most concerningly, residents living in high-risk bushfire zones have raised the alarm about the lack of reliable communication, jeopardizing their safety in emergencies.
Mr. Love called on the Federal Government to intervene immediately.
“Telstra has a social obligation to ensure no community is left behind. The Federal Government must hold them accountable and guarantee that all Australians, regardless of where they live, have access to reliable telecommunications. This neglect is simply not good enough.”
