Eden-Monaro Labor candidate Kristy McBain has called on the federal government to boost the Far South Coast economy through renewable technology and better communications.
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Ms McBain was speaking during a visit to Narooma on Wednesday with Opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese and Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
Ms McBain said bushfire recovery was at the forefront of her campaign.
She said the coastal communication system must be more resilient to natural disaster.
"Not enough people are able to connect to the fixed wireless network, or access mobile coverage," she said.
She said blackspots on highways, internet speed and mobile phone connectivity must improve to "pad out our economy" and "attract different industries".
"They are two big issues I have raised early on in this campaign, and I am pleased the Labor party has been receptive and is digging into this," Ms McBain said.
Ms McBain said metropolitan areas benefited more from local government financial assistance and councils in the Eden-Monaro electorate were disadvantaged.
Ms McBain said councils in the seat received "less money for more assets", and had to manage far-flung facilities, with less resources.
"We have to have a duplication of assets because our population is spread really wide," she said.
"I think it is a system we need to seriously look at."
Ms McBain said the Eden-Monaro's economy was reliant on tourism and hospitality and needed support to diversify, especially into renewable industries.
"We need to think about how we can pad out our seasons, find things that aren't summer based in these areas," she said.
"Renewable energy technology is going to be key."
Ms McBain wants to follow in the footsteps of former Eden-Monaro MP Mike Kelly, who aimed to make Eden-Monaro a "renewable technology hub".
She wants to see renewable infrastructure harness wave energy in places such as Eden.
"We can do something significant, and make a place the envy of others because we have been able to diversify our industries away from just tourism," Ms McBain said.