Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce this week has taken aim at the big telecommunications companies in Federal Parliament.
Speaking in the Federation Chamber, Mr Boyce said things need to change and called for a Senate Inquiry into regional telecommunications.
“From Gladstone to the Gemfields, Moore Park Beach to Monto, Baffle Creek to Biloela and Alton Downs to Agnes Water, regional telecommunications would have to be one of the biggest issues in the Flynn electorate no matter where you come from,” Mr Boyce said.
“In 2024, telecommunications have never been more important.
“Telstra is under a service obligation that they are not meeting and not acknowledging. The performance criteria based on fixed-line and payphone standards and benchmarks made was under the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
“This criterion was made over 20 years ago and has not been changed to reflect the use of modern-day telecommunications.
“Regional telecommunications are not a matter of families being able to watch Netflix every night, rather a matter of making a call in a life and death situation.
“I have written to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review Committee urging them to visit the Flynn electorate and hear directly from stakeholders that have felt the brunt of inadequate telecommunications for far too long.
“I encourage businesses and residents to provide feedback about their views and experiences using telecommunications services to the Committee as I for one know that the big telecommunications companies are letting us down.”
