THE HON DAVID LITTLEPROUD MP
Shadow Minister for Emergency Management
Shadow Minister for Tourism
Federal Member for Maranoa
13 May 2026
Labor Axes Regional Tech Hub — Abandons 28,000 Regional Australians
The Federal Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud has condemned the Albanese Labor Government for abandoning regional Australia after last night’s Federal
Budget confirmed no funding for the Regional Tech Hub (RTH) — a free, independent telecommunications support service relied upon by tens of thousands of
Australians living in regional, rural and remote communities.
Despite repeated warnings, two unused 12-month contract extension options, and over 28,000 regional Australians having relied on the service in 2025 alone, Labor has chosen to let the RTH die — effective 30 June 2026.
“Labor has just handed down a Budget that splashes billions on inner-city rail, housing tax concessions and AI grants — and they couldn’t find a single dollar to
keep the lights on at the Regional Tech Hub,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This is a betrayal of regional Australia, plain and simple.”
“Over 28,000 regional Australians turned to the RTH for help last year. Farmers trying to keep their businesses connected. Families navigating the collapse of 3G
networks. Communities dealing with mobile black spots and the retirement of legacy ADSL services. Those people now have nowhere to turn.”
The RTH — operated by the National Farmers’ Federation — is Australia’s only free, independent, and nationally accessible telecommunications advice service tailored to regional, rural and remote communities. It provides one-on-one support to individuals, small businesses, community organisations and primary producers at no cost.
The service’s own website is already flagging the shutdown, advising that Regional Partnership Officers are not accepting new event bookings beyond 31 May 2026.
“Labor made regional Australians wait until after the Budget for a funding decision — and then delivered nothing. That is not an oversight. That is contempt,” Mr
Littleproud said.
“At a time when Telstra is retiring its legacy copper network, when mobile black spots remain a daily reality for millions, and when the digital divide between cities
and the bush is wider than ever — Labor has pulled the plug on the one service that helped regional Australians navigate all of it.”
“The National Farmers’ Federation, the ICPA, and communities right across regional Australia have been sounding the alarm. Labor wasn’t listening — because they never cared.”
Mr Littleproud is calling on the Albanese Government to immediately reverse this decision and commit to the RTH’s continuation beyond 30 June 2026.
“It is not too late. Fund it. Do it today. Stop treating regional Australia like an afterthought.”
