The $385 million program, to which the federal government committed $220 million, was roundly criticised by the Australian National Audit Office.

“Public funding has resulted in substantial consolidation of existing coverage provided by grant applicants, as opposed to extending coverage in new areas – a key objective for the programme,” the report said. 

“The department’s ability to measure the overall impact and effectiveness of the programme and report to stakeholders will be difficult given the absence of a fit for purpose performance measurement and evaluation framework for the programme.”

It said almost one-fifth of the 499 new base stations, which included 31 placed in Tasmania, provided minimal new coverage. 

Bass Labor MHR Ross Hart said more than 80 per cent of the locations for new mobile phone towers were in Liberal or National-held electorates.

“This report confirms that the priority for site selection was politics, not community need,” he said.

“What (Labor) want to do is place a far greater emphasis on a fair distribution of funds.”

Federal Regional Communications Minister Fiona Nash said site eligibility was selected by the Communications Department, not the government.

“Labor did not spend one cent nor build one new mobile phone tower in six years of government,” she said.