First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group finalising initial recommendations for closing the digital divide

Joint Media Release from The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications and Ms Dot West OAM, Chair of the First Nations Digital Advisory Group

MEDIA RELEASE | Wednesday 12 July 2023

The Albanese Government’s First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group met in Sydney yesterday and considered proposals to support progress towards Target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap – delivering equal levels of digital inclusion for First Nations Australians by 2026.

Yesterday's meeting focused on the outcomes of the Advisory Group’s initial engagement with communities and stakeholders, including gaps in existing effort and ways to ensure better alignment across government, industry and the not-for-profit sector. The Group reiterated its commitment to place-based solutions as the foundation for making sure First Nations Australians have access to affordable and reliable connectivity, and the digital ability required to navigate the online world safely and effectively.

The proposals will form the basis of the Advisory Group’s initial report to the Australian Government, which the Group hopes to finalise shortly.

Initial policy priorities include digital mentoring in remote communities, improving support for First Nations communities to access connectivity grant opportunities, trialling emerging technologies in remote communities, and improving the national collection and use of data.

Attendees at yesterday’s meeting were the Minister for Communications and the full membership of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group, including: Ms Dot West OAM (Chair), Associate Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker (Deputy Chair), Professor Bronwyn Carlson, Ms Naomi Moran, and Ms Talei Elu.

The Digital Inclusion Expert Panel, which supports the Advisory Group, were also in attendance, including Ms Gillian Mailman, Dr Scott Winch, Ms Lauren Ganley, Mr Che Cockatoo Collins, Professor Ellie Rennie, Dr Daniel Featherstone and Mr Neil Turner.

For more information on the Advisory Group, visit here. Contributions to the work of the group are welcome and can be sent to FirstNationsDigitalInclusion@infrastructure.gov.au.