“For too long Karumba has been left in the slow lane with substandard internet services”, Mr Katter said.

“I’m thankful that the government has listened to our concerns about sloppy internet access in the Gulf and recognised the importance of this project.”

Mr Katter said the changes will help businesspeople like Yvonne Tunney in Karumba.

“In tourist season Yvonne has long line-ups at her store, Ash’s At The Point, while staff issue paper credit card transactions when the internet or phones are down. This can cost her business dearly and impact on the ability of local businesses to employ more staff,” he said.

“Congratulations and thank you to Carpentaria Shire mayor Jack Bawden and his council for their efforts advocating for their remote community.”

Mr Katter said the state’s $1.74m investment will bring better connectivity to Karumba, help create jobs and improve the quality of life of residents, especially children, who have been left behind in the digital age.

The Cloncurry Shire Council has also been the beneficiary of some government largess in the form of a $2.58m grant to upgrade the local sewage treatment plant.

“The sewage farm in Cloncurry is currently inadequate in terms of size and efficiency. Council’s planned upgrades to improve the plant will serve their community well into the future”, Mr Katter said.

“Thanks to Cloncurry Shire Council and their mayor Greg Campbell, whose hard work on behalf of the community has yielded results.”