Businessman campaigns to end mobile blackspots

There are more than 10,500 mobile blackspots across Australia, and more than 1200 in WA, as Kwinana business owner Neville Simpson knows all too well.

Rockingham resident Mr Simpson is calling on local businesses and residents to join an Australia-wide campaign for increased funding to improve mobile phone black spots.

He said the Triple Zero Call Access for All Australians campaign had been initiated by a family friend whose partner died after he was in a motorbike accident in a mobile phone blackspot.

He was riding in an area close to Kojonup and the blackspot resulted in delayed emergency assistance.

Mr Simpson spends much of his time travelling in regional WA for business and to see family in Kojonup, and experiences mobile reception issues regularly.

“Unfortunately it takes an accident of this calibre for us to stand up and take action,” he said.

“I was in a car accident a few years ago in a mobile phone blackspot in a very similar region of WA, but thankfully I was able to walk 10km to receive help.

“Not everyone is so lucky.

“I now carry a mobile booster to use in case a situation arises.”

Mr Simpson believes being able to ring 000 whereever you are should be an option for everyone in Australia.

“People don’t realise how close they may live to blackspots,” he said.

“They don’t just exist out on country roads — there are locations around Kwinana and Rockingham in the suburbs of Baldivis, Leda and Wellard.”

A petition is circulating to collect 100,000 signatures which will be sent to the Standing Committee on Petitions for presentation to the Australian Parliament.

Signatures need to be returned by April 30 and the petition can be found at http://triple0foraustralia.wix.com/triple0foraustralia or https://www.facebook.com/triple0foraustralia/ .