$36.6m to boost telecom for remote indigenous communities

Stuart Corner
Sunday, 25 February 2007 13:07

IT Policy - Regulation

The Federal Government is to provide $36.6 million to boost communications services in indigenous communities.

The money will be provided through the 'Backing Indigenous Ability telecommunications program' which is part of the $1.1 billion Connect Australia package.

Announcing the funding, communications minister, senator Helen Coonan, said: "Backing Indigenous Ability will extend essential telecommunications services such as robust public phones, Internet access and videoconferencing facilities to people living in remote Indigenous communities. An important element of the program will be providing funding to develop Indigenous online content."

According to DCITA, more than 110, 000 indigenous Australians live in communities of less than 3500 inhabitants and around 400 of Australia's approximately 1200 remote indigenous communities are estimated to be without any access to telecommunications services.

"Backing Indigenous Ability will provide up to 150 communities with Internet services, enabling communities to access health, education, legal, employment and welfare services more easily," Coonan said. "It will also [give] entrepreneurial Indigenous communities the opportunity to set up micro-businesses and commercial activities such as tourism and selling art and music. Communities will also receive valuable training to ensure the ongoing use and application of basic telecommunications services in Indigenous communities."

The announcement follows almost 12 months of consultation following the release of a discussion paper in 2006.

Communities are invited to apply for funding under the programme, and a number of regional agents will assist remote Indigenous communities with their applications and with implementation of their projects, if they are successful.

Regional agents covering eight remote regions will be appointed by tender and will inform community representatives about the program, assist them to prepare applications and implement projects, and coordinate the initiatives with other Connect Australia programs. A request for tender will be issued shortly. Funding of $1.2 million until 30 June 2010 will be available under this element of the package.

Applications for the first round of funding will close on 20 April 2007. The program guidelines and application forms are available from www.dcita.gov.au/bia