Labors Regional Communications Spokesperson, Stephen Jones, and Labors Candidate for Corangamite, Libby Coker, today announced that Labor will provide essential funding to help fix mobile blackspots in Corangamite.

This is critical infrastructure that saves lives in an emergency and is central to the daily life of all local residents and businesses.

Stephen Jones said that Labor was committed to improving the handling and administration of the Mobile Black Spot programme across Australia.

Labor will be matching the Governments commitment to fixing mobile black spots in Birregurra, Angelsea, Aireys Inlet and Bellbrae.

But in addition to that we will be going much further. Under the Governments watch there were some glaring omissions in the Mobile Black Spot Programme. There are locations that should have been funded but were not, and Teesdale in the Golden Plains area west of Geelong is an example of this, said Mr Jones.

We must do more to help regional communities when it comes to mobile black spots, this is vital infrastructure that people rely on.

Libby Coker said that the announcement would make a huge difference to local communities.

The majority of residents in Teesdale are totally frustrated with Malcolm Turnbulls failed mobile phone rollout, which means they experience poor mobile coverage at home and at work, said Ms Coker.

Mr. Turnbulls poor mobile coverage impacts families, students and small businesses in our region.We have a local economy that is dependent on tourism and retail so mobile phone coverage is vital.

This lack of coverage is of particular concern for our elderly who often rely on these connections to stay in touch with family and friends.

The Golden Plains region which includes Teesdale is part of a growth area near Geelong and these families suffer from little to no coverage bringing with it a whole range of challenging access, business and safetyissues for local families.

Of the 499 mobile towers funded in Round One of the Mobile Black Spot Programme, as of 4 May 2016 only 21 had been switched on.

The Liberals have over-promised and under-delivered on mobile black spots.