‘Don’t leave rural Australia hanging – make mobile USO happen’ - Katter
February 26, 2025
KAP Bob Katter, the Member for Kennedy, has cautiously welcomed the government's announcement[i] to improve mobile service coverage through a Universal Service Obligation (USO) which will enforce mobile phone providers to guarantee service, particularly in regional and remote areas.
"This is a win. For the last 18 months we have been tenaciously working with the Minister and her team to get a real and enforceable USO that will deliver essential mobile coverage, regardless of one's distance from metro areas."
Mr Katter said, "A USO is of immense value to us. The coast has these giant mountains everywhere, so coverage is bloody awful, and out west there is no coverage at all. The Low Earth Orbit satellites haven't worked nearly as well as they should've, so it is big news for us.
"However, we note that it is one thing to make a commitment on the eve of an election, but another entirely to ensure it is actually enforced."
As a long-time advocate for universal service across rural and remote Australia, Katter has fought tirelessly to hold Telstra accountable for its substandard services in these areas.
The privatisation of Telstra was one of the core reasons Mr Katter walked away from the National Party in 2001, and it has since been a constant issue for constituents across Australia as the giant telco has failed to provide adequate, reliable service.
"When the government sold off Telstra, they legislated a USO, requiring the newly privatised Telstra to keep delivering to the bush.
However, the metro-corporates in Telstra soon found a way to avoid this responsibility by self-determining that the requirement did not include mobiles and charging a small fortune for land-line "connections".
Recently, Mr Katter called for the nationalisation of Telstra[ii], saying, "Australia can no longer afford a privatised telecommunications sector that fails its people", after hearing from hundreds of customers who were frustrated with the company's utter failure to transition from 3G to 5G.
He pointed out that the government's renewed focus on improving mobile services, particularly in regional and remote areas, closely mirrors the concerns he has long raised about the failings of Telstra and the broader telecommunications sector.
"The solution is clear: we need a telecommunications sector that works for all Australians, whether they live in the city or the bush. People have had enough of the tyranny of distance and Telstra's monopoly over rural services has gone on long enough," Mr Katter said.
Mr Katter reiterated his commitment to working with all levels of government and industry to ensure that rural Australians are not left behind in the digital age. He also called for continued vigilance to ensure that telecommunications infrastructure does not fall under the control of private interests that prioritise profits over people's needs.
ENDS
Electorate Bob (red tie and jeans) in Ingham’s annual Kindy Quiz Night? or Parli Bob (waistcoat and maroon scarf) in Airlie Beach’s Halloween Party? We love a good Bob pic!
Today the Federal Government has given an extra $10 million to finalise works at Cloncurry Airport following significant flood damage in late 2025 and early 2026. Huge congratulations must go to Mayor Greg Campbell, Cloncurry Council and all those who have fought hard to achieve this outcome. The proposed works will ensure the long-term operation of this vital transport hub to continue to support aeromedical services, business travel, tourism and mining operations.
If all government cars were hybrids. If our sugar and grain was converted to ethanol. If our oil was refined in Australia. WE WOULD BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN FUEL. This would save EVERY Australian taxpayer $40,000 a year, create hundreds of jobs and resurrect our sugar and grain industries. The answers are there… government just needs to act! To watch the full episode on Spotify, click here .
I couldn’t sleep last night.. praying for my good and long term friend Helen. Helen brings sparkle, enlightenment and joy to the centre of the crossbench. My thoughts are also with your family, friends and staff at this extremely difficult time. May Jesus keep you all in his blessings. Bob Katter
Last weeks parliamentary debate raised some key concerns about the state and direction of the country. Bob’s take is detailed in his latest podcast and includes: Carbon Credits (Integrity and Transparency) Legislation – hidden under the guise of ‘transparency’ and ‘integrity’ this legislation WIDELY EXPANDS Native Title consent requirements, openly acknowledging that it will essentially kill off nearly all small/medium size mining and infrastructure projects with extended project delays and costs. Customs (Illicit Tabacco) Legislation – stronger enforcement and penalties is useless against organized crime unless we also stop demand by narrowing the VAST gap between legal and illegal tobacco products and take away the economic incentives fueling the black market. Backpackers vs Student Visas - meetings at the highest level arguing that backpackers are here for a good time not a long time, they must be from certain countries and under the age of 30, they spend monies earnt and go home. Student visa holders have NO country restrictions and NO age limits, family dependents are also allowed and about 90% stay with the hope of migrating. Protect Aussie produce – continuing the fight to stop fresh food imports from countries with slave labour wages and child labour in the supply chain - a game changer for the banana, pineapple and other tropical fruit industries.
Not so long ago a flight to Tel Aviv experienced an attempted terrorist attack. The heroic actions of those on the plane averted what very nearly was a great tragedy with the almost certain deaths of all 180 occupants in the plane. As the background of the would be terrorist is being investigated serious allegations have been made that he was radicalised IN AUSTRALIA whilst he was an INTERNATIONAL STUDENT!!! Where are the rallies in the street? Where is the outrage in the media? Where are the strong political statements of condemnation ? Where is the swift action against those radicalising people in Australia? ARE WE GOING TO PRETEND THAT THIS WON’T EVER HAPPEN IN AUSTRALIA?
Australian rural industries will keep shutting down if we keep on allowing government to: Import fruit and vegetables; Require our farmers to compete against imports from countries with slave labour wages; and Impose more and more red, green and ‘supermarket imposed’ tape on our produce. We already import nearly all of our pork and seafood… once thriving Australian industries - SHUTDOWN. STOP THIS MADNESS. Protect Australian jobs, consumers and farmers.
Always a great time with Shane Knuth MP and some local legends!
We export our oil for $8,000 million and import it back as petrol for $62,000 million. While overseas refineries get rich from our oil we are getting poorer and poorer as a nation. The impact to our economy is colossal!!! And must be stopped. BRING BACK OUR OIL REFINERIES.
Bob: “Back in my day, we used an automatic gate opener.” Wendi: “I have one. The gate just automatically opened for me.”
