Media Release

19 March 2018: Hon Bob Katter MP for Kennedy is pleased Four Ways (Burke and Wills Roadhouse) is now benefitting from state of the art mobile technology following the activation of a new Telstra mobile base station in the area under the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP).

In June 2015 the Kennedy electorate received funding for 18 mobile blackspot locations and a further 14 locations in 2016, to be rolled out over three years, Four Ways was as one of them. Mr Katter listened to the concerns of locals as he travelled through his electorate in making these nominations and heaped praise on the local fighters in Kennedy who advocated for better mobile communications services.
Four Ways and the surrounding area now has access to Telstra’s 3G and 4GX mobile coverage, allowing the community to keep in contact with family and friends and run their businesses more effectively, whether by speaking on the phone or using a range of online services.

Mr Katter said the tyranny of distance was something that his electorate had long strived to overcome.

“We’ve got a lot of black spots and I think it’s only right we’ve received this funding, where it’s so important. In Four Ways any car accidents that occur in that area means communication is absolutely vital – they are a case of life and death so we have very much appreciate the hard work of people in the electorate who have helped to achieve this wonderful break through.

“My family nearly perished when my father got bogged outside McKinlay and suffered 3rd degree burns on his hands and knees, we thought his number was up.

“To someone in the city mobile coverage seems like a small thing, but when a family member nearly perishes, it shows how valuable these things are.

“Work output has increased by 30% due to mobile phones, whereas before we had dead running time in the car without mobile service.

“Each blow we strike against the tyranny of distance, is therefore a strike for our freedom,” Mr Katter said.

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