The Hon David Coleman MP
Federal Member for Banks
Shadow Minister for Communications
The Hon Michelle Landry MP
Federal Member for Capricornia
Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing
The Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, announced last week the completion of all Sky Muster satellite installations at key evacuation centres in Queensland under the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program.
The Minister failed to mention that it was in fact the former Coalition Government under then Communications Minister, Paul Fletcher, who created the STAND Program, announcing $37.1 million for this program on 12 May in 2020 to improve telecommunications resilience in bushfire and disaster-prone areas, so that communities can stay connected during emergencies.
STAND program satellite installations were completed in the following local government areas: Moreton Bay Regional, Gold Coast City, Scenic Rim Regional, Toowoomba Regional and Rockhampton Regional.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said “Strengthening telecommunications resilience in bushfire and disaster-prone areas such as Capricornia is a vital part of ensuring our community can stay connected during future emergencies.”
“That’s why I’m proud of the former Coalition Government’s record in creating the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) program and our delivery of $37.1 million in initial funding in May 2020.
“I’m pleased to see the recent completion of a Sky Muster satellite installation at the key evacuation centre in the Rockhampton region as a result of the former Coalition Government’s STAND program investment.”