Government's indigenous Internet plan "flawed"

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 02 July 2009 18:42

IT Industry - Strategy

The Government's plan to provide $7m funding over four years to provide public Internet facilities in remote indigenous communities has been derided by a senior executive with 10 years experience in indigenous communications.

The executive, who did not wish to be named, said: "I've worked in this sector for almost 10 years and given the conditions; the amount of funds allocated and the same flawed approach that has been attempted again and again - this does not have a chance. But the announcement was driven by the need to say and to appear to do something about, or for Indigenous people at this COAG meeting."

The funding - almost $7 million over four years from 2009-10 - was announced at the Council of Online Governments meeting in Darwin where COAG members signed the "Closing the Gap: National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Public Internet Access" as part of the wider national integrated strategy for closing the gap in indigenous disadvantage.

The plan promises to deliver public Internet access facilities in remote Indigenous communities where there is limited or no public Internet access and to maintenance and support public Internet access in those communities, commencing in 2011-12. It also promises to provide training in basic computer and Internet use in up to 60 remote communities a year.

COAG claimed that "the programme will result in increased access to online resources in remote communities, enhanced information and computer literacy and increased use of the Internet to facilitate transactions and communication with government agencies, businesses, communities and families."

The indigenous communications executive pointed out that, even if fully allocated, this funding amounted to just under $30,000 per community per year, and would likely make little impact without a solid base on which to build. "Remote Indigenous communities at times are just hanging in there in terms of service delivery...They are struggling to run schools in the remote communities."