Nurturing First Nations languages and arts

Joint Media Release from The Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts and The Hon Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians

MEDIA RELEASE | Wednesday 12 July 2023

The Albanese Labor Government is continuing to support First Nations cultural expression by investing more than $5.1 million in community-based organisations delivering vital languages and arts activities around the country.

44 organisations will share in the funding from 2023-24, which is being delivered through the Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts program.

The program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to express, preserve and maintain their cultures through Indigenous languages and arts activities.

Recipients include:

• Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation - $200,000 over two years to develop a suite of digital and physical learning resources to inspire and foster intergenerational learning of the Wunambal and Gaambera languages, from the far north Kimberley region of Western Australia.

• Darumbal People Aboriginal Corporation - $156,000 over two years to produce story books, flashcards, website material and other educational resources to strengthen and share the Darumbal language from Queensland’s Rockhampton area.

• Iwiri Aboriginal Corporation - $77,350 to produce a collection of 10 traditional bedtime stories in Pitjantjatjara – 9 audio and one animated – and make them accessible online.

• Gujaga Foundation Ltd - $55,930 to establish a Dharawal Community Language Team in New South Wales, who will develop accessible educational materials and support community to learn complex aspects of Dharawal grammar.

• Marrugeku Inc - $90,000 to deliver workshops showcasing and encouraging participation in First Nations dance practice across 9 communities in regional New South Wales and remote Western Australia.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the funding would promote the conservation and revitalisation of First Nations languages.

“First Nations languages have carried stories, songs and knowledge from generation to generation since the first sunrise. It’s vital we work to safeguard and strengthen these languages and the cultural expression they enable – and that’s what this funding does.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney said the funding will help organisations continue the crucial work they’re doing in their communities to keep languages strong. “Indigenous languages are integral to the identity and connection with culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and I look forward to seeing the positive results of these innovative projects.”

Learn more about what the Albanese Labor Government is doing to centre First Nations stories in our arts and culture through its National Cultural Policy, Revive: https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/new-national-cultural-policy

Roundtable prioritises reducing risky road use in Australia

Media Release from The Hon Carol Brown MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

MEDIA RELEASE | Tuesday 11 July 2023

Reducing road trauma in Australia by driving down risky road behaviours was the key priority for an industry roundtable held in Adelaide today by the Australian Government.

Chaired by Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown, the roundtable brought together representatives from 20 organisations that directly support or rely on advancing road safety.

These included road safety research, transport industry, alcohol and drug, First Nations health, youth advisory, insurance, and motoring and cycling organisations.

Productive discussions were held on a number of critical areas to understand how we can improve seatbelt use, reduce drink and drug driving, and minimise other risky road behaviours such as distracted driving and speeding.

Reducing risky road use on Australian roads is one of nine priorities included in the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30, a nationally agreed plan to reduce road fatalities by 50 per cent by 2030.

For more information on the strategy and its priorities, visit: www.roadsafety.gov.au/nrss.

Telstra announces agreement with Starlink

Media Release | 3 July 2023

Telstra today announced it had signed an agreement to become the first provider in the world to offer voice-only and voice plus broadband powered by Starlink to rural and remote Telstra customers in Australia.

Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said the Starlink agreement was part of Telstra’s T25 strategy commitment to launch a satellite product with the voice and broadband options being avaliable to consumer and business customers.

“Telstra is always looking to invest in new and better connectivity options for our customers. We know that collaborating with the right partners is one of the best ways to help unlock a digital future, in this case for people in rural and remote Australia looking for an improved voice or broadband service,” Ms Brady said.

“Our teams have been out across the country testing and trialling Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to ensure we understand where it’s the best solution for our consumer and business customers. What will set our offer apart if the addition of Telstra voice service, a professional install option and the ability to get local help with your set up if needed.”

In addition, this agreement will also provide connectivity options for our business customers in Australia and overseas, as a higher bandwidth business grade option in areas without fixed and mobile connectivity. Telstra will announce pricing and device details closer to launch, which it expects will be in late 2023.

Telstra currently uses a mix of technologies to provide voice and broadband services in rural and remote locations where distance and terrain make it difficult to reach with existing networks.

One of the benefits of LEO satellites are that they are much closer to Earth, allowing them to send and receive signals much faster. This makes them a great option for services that need low-latency, like voice and video calls for providing backhaul to mobile networks.

Telstra and OneWeb seal deal on delivering new satellite solutions.

Media Release | 19 June 2023

Telstra and OneWeb today announced an agreement to deliver one of the world’s largest rollouts of OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) backhaul for a commercial mobile network.

Telstra and OneWeb have agreed commercial terms and later this year will begin moving hundreds of existing remote mobile base stations currently using satellite backhaul to OneWeb’s LEO solution. Telstra will also use OneWeb LEO services for future sites where satellite backhaul is the preferred or only viable option.

The strategic agreement will see up to 25Gbit/s of LEO capacity being delivered to Telstra’s most remote mobile sites across Australia overtime, helping enhance the customer experience when using real-time applications such as voice and video calling.

Nikos Katinakis, Telstra Group Executive Global Networks and Technology, said Telstra was excited to have finalised the long-term partnership with OneWeb and the positive impact it would have for customers.

“Part of our T25 strategy was to assess evolving satellite technologies and use them to deliver better services for customers, especially in rural and remote Australia”.

“The deal with OneWeb will help us to improve our options for our consumer, small business and enterprise customers living or working in rural or regional Australia - especially those in remote areas that require added redundancy in the instance of a power or transmission incident.” Mr Katinakis said.

“Our initial focus is using the service as a backhaul medium to connect remote mobile base stations. In time, it will also offer us capability to deliver voice and fixed broadband services to regional Australia.”

Mr Katinakis said the capability will help Telstra expand its regional coverage and supports the T25 commitment to deliver an additional 100,000 square kilometres of mobile coverage be the end of FY25.

“We plan to extend the testing program for additional use cases including network backhaul resilience, such as a back-up to fixed backhaul for selected critical sites. As well as into emerging use cases for business, enterprise and government customers like IoT and connectivity on the move for the emergency services agencies, mining, oil and gas sector,“ he said.

David Thorn, Vice President, APAC at OneWeb, said this was the start of a growing reciprocal relationship between the two companies.

“This is a first for us in terms of its scale and integration. For the first time in Australia, we’re working with a major partner to deliver OneWeb’s service across an entire continent for the benefit of remote users including consumers, enterprises and government agencies.”

“From our perspective, its one of the largest single rollouts of LEO satellite capacity for mobile backhaul worldwide. Telstra will also be pivotal in collaborating with us on future generations of OneWeb product development.”

Telstra has been working with OneWeb to test its latest technology and will continue providing input into OneWeb’s future products and capabilities. OneWeb has more than 630 satellites in orbit today, with global coverage on track for the end of the year. OneWeb’s services are anticipated to begin in Australia mid-year, with worldwide service available in early 2024.

The partnership complements Telstra’s T25 ambition to grow and extend its network leadership position and extend mobile coverage across the country.

It's Your Move - Regional Australia's Biggest Ever Recruitment Drive

Nearly half of all urban workers would move to regional Australia for a better salary

Media Release | 4 July 2023

• Regional Australia Institute is launching the biggest regional recruitment drive in Australia’s history

• There are over 91,000 jobs on offer in the regions equating to $1.7 billion in untapped wages

• New data shows nearly half of all city workers could be persuaded to move to the regions for a better-paying job with cost-of-living pressures driving job dissatisfaction in all major capital cities

Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is embarking on the nation’s biggest ever recruitment drive to showcase the 91,000 compelling, fulfilling, and well-paying jobs on offer in regional Australia. 

Right now, there are more than $1.7 billion in untapped wages in our regions, with jobs in some of the most idyllic locations Australia has to offer. Filling these vacancies would provide regional Australia with an instant economic boost of more than $1.2 billion.

The demand for regional workers comes at a time when the number of jobs available in capital cities is sharply declining and job dissatisfaction is at an all-time high.  A recent study commissioned by RAI reveals more than 1 million urban workers are dissatisfied with their job. The main factor driving job dissatisfaction is the fact that salaries are failing to keep up with the soaring cost of city living. 

In a win for the regions, nearly half (46 per cent) of all city workers said a salary increase would persuade them to take a job in regional Australia, with 2 in 5 saying they’d be convinced to move to regional Australia if a financial incentive (e.g. recruitment bonus or relocation payment) was involved. To support Australians looking for a better-paying regional job, RAI has assembled a coalition of leading industry bodies, large and small business, and local governments to highlight the plethora of opportunities on offer.

RAI’s ‘Move to More’ website has been updated in partnership with SEEK, to host a dedicated jobs page, showcasing every regional opportunity on offer in the one place, making it easier for regionally-curious job seekers to find their dream job.

CEO of the Regional Australia Institute Liz Ritchie says from Kangaroo Island to Kalgoorlie, from Bendigo to Byron Bay, there has never been a better time to take a job in regional Australia. There’s never been a more important time for regional Australia’s biggest ever recruitment drive. The “It’s Your Move” is an important initiative within our “Move To More” project, which was established in 2019 to inspire Australians to make the move from the city to our beautiful and prosperous regions.

“In 2023, regional migration is up 17 per cent and it’s continuing to grow especially as the economic downturn prompts Australians to search for a more affordable lifestyle. While this is encouraging for regional Australia’s population growth, many regions are still catching up when it comes to infrastructure, services and housing. We’re embarking on regional Australia’s biggest ever recruitment drive to encourage Australians to consider a job in regional Australia and help build the skilled workforce to service our hospitals, schools and businesses that keep Australia moving.”     

“A job in regional Australia can offer fast-tracked career progression, life-changing experiences and a compelling salary package. With a plethora of fulfilling, exciting and meaningful jobs on offer in the regions and the lifestyle to match, now is the time to consider a career in regional Australia.”

Joining forces with RAI is Master Builders, whose Chief Executive Denita Wawn says: “Moving to regional Australia offers tradies the opportunity to tap into a growing market with high housing and infrastructure development demand. Tradies who move to the regions will play a vital role in building the communities of tomorrow and contribute to the economic growth this country desperately needs.”

Tony Mahar, Chief Executive of National Farmers Federation adds: “The career opportunities in agriculture are limitless. There is a job for everyone, and every skill set right now in our farm sector. From mustering cattle in the top end to donning a white coat in a lab developing the next drought-resistant wheat variety. If you don’t love your job in the city, think agriculture and think regional Australia.”

Jacqueline Emery, CEO of Royal Far West concludes: “The early years are the most crucial time in every child’s life.  The foundations established in our early years influences the rest of our lives. Our country kids also face the burden of distance when it comes to finding the support. As Australia’s only national charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of country children, we know that working in rural and remote Australia as an allied health clinician can change a child’s life.”

To find out where your career could take you, click the LEARN MORE button below.

Inland Rail - Albury to Parkes Enhancements EOI Now Open

Martinus has been appointed Principal Contractor for Inland Rail Albury to Parkes (Albury to Illabo & Stockinbingal to Parkes) Enhancement Project.

Martinus is calling for Expression of Interest (EOI) from local business's interested in participating on the project. 

Some of the services required include:

• Concrete Supply

• Cranage Services

• Draining Install

• Electrical Services

• Haulage/Transport Services

• Rail Welding Services

• Waste Management/Septic Pumpout Works/Bins

• Lighting - Solar Street Lighting

• Geotech Services

• Labour Hire Services

• Traffic Management Services

The Industry Growth Program supporting innovative SMEs to commercialise and grow

The recently announced Industry Growth Program aims to support innovative SMEs across Australia to get great ideas to market, overcome barriers to scale and achieve their potential through multilayered support. The program will provide advice and matched grant funding to businesses in the priority areas of the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF), part of delivering on the Government’s commitment to rebuild Australia’s industrial capability. The Industry Growth Program is scheduled to commence later in 2023 and will support innovative SMEs across Australia to get their innovative ideas off the ground and grow their businesses.

The program will complement the NRF by driving early-stage investment in the 7 NRF priority areas. Only projects aligned with these areas will be eligible to participate in the Industry Growth Program. The NRF priority areas are:

1.       value-add in resources

2.       value-add in the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors

3.       transport

4.       medical science

5.       renewables and low emission technologies

6.       defence capability

7.       enabling capabilities.

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) will engage expert advisers located across Australia to work with participating businesses to directly help them achieve their potential. Program participants will also have access to specialist sectoral advice through industry partner organisations. Some innovative SMEs will also be able to apply for grants under the program, ranging from $50,000 to $5 million.

Public consultation on the final design and development of the Industry Growth Program is underway. Through the consultation the Department of Industry, Science and Resources is seeking a wide range of views on the design and implementation of the program. This includes questions around program governance, eligibility of applicants and projects and reaching a diverse range of businesses across Australia, including in regional and remote areas.

Input on the design of the Industry Growth Program can be made until 30 July 2023 through https://consult.industry.gov.au/industry-growth-program or by contacting the Industry Growth Program team at IndustryGrowthProgram.consultation@industry.gov.au .

Heavy Vehicle Rest Area projects hitting the road

Truck drivers will have more options to take a break when travelling across Australia’s regions, with state, territory and local governments now able to apply for funding under the Australian Government’s Heavy Vehicle Rest Area grant funding opportunity.

Through the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area, the Australian Government has committed $140 million over 10 years for the construction of new and upgraded heavy vehicle rest areas. The initiative will be delivered through the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).

A survey has also been developed for truck drivers and interested road users to provide input on the location and condition of existing rest areas and to provide advice on where additional rest areas may be required.

• Complete: HVRA survey

• Help: HVSPP@infrastructure.gov.au

Consultation opens on new laws to protect Australians online

Public consultation has commenced on a new framework to empower the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to hold digital platforms to account for harmful misinformation and disinformation online. These proposed powers will bring greater transparency to efforts by digital platforms to respond to misinformation and disinformation on their services, while balancing freedom of expression.

 Public consultation is now open with legislation to be introduced into Parliament later this year.

Closes: Sunday 6 August 2023

Submit: have your say or integrity@infrastructure.gov.au

Learn: new laws to tackle misinformation

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/new-acma-powers-combat-misinformation-and-disinformation

Industry roundtable brings heavy vehicle priorities to light

Media Release from The Hon Carol Brown MP, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

MEDIA RELEASE | Wednesday 12 July 2023

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown has today held an industry roundtable to discuss critical heavy vehicle priorities for Australia, including the sustainability of the sector as well as the transition to net zero and new technologies.

More than 20 industry representatives joined the roundtable, which also held productive discussions on how government can better engage the industry, as well as workforce challenges and opportunities such as in workplace health and safety and skills development.

The discussions brought together representatives that directly support, work and hire within the sector, including government transport associations, peak body and industry groups, and transport operators.

The roundtable forms part of the Government’s commitment to listening to the priorities and experiences of the heavy vehicle industry, recognising how vital the industry is to our way of life.

It also provided the opportunity for Government to update the industry on a number of ongoing initiatives to bolster heavy vehicle safety and productivity, including the roll out of the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area initiative, reforms to the Heavy Vehicle National Law, and trialling new approaches to road user charging.

Australia and the United Kingdom jetting towards net zero

Media Release from The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

MEDIA RELEASE | Wednesday 19 July 2023

Australia and the United Kingdom have highlighted shared ambitions for decarbonising aviation including though the work of our respective Jet Zero Councils.

Like the UK, the Albanese Government supports the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation without constraining while still facilitating growth in the industry. 

ICAO’s initiatives include the adoption of a long-term aspirational goal for international aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the implementation of the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.

In meetings this week with UK ministers, including Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Aviation, Maritime and Security), we have discussed shared ambitions and initial progress in decarbonising aviation, as well as the UK’s experience so far in encouraging an industry-government partnership approach through its Jet Zero Council.

Just last month I announced the Australian Jet Zero Council, which is due to meet for the first time in August, bringing together stakeholders from across our aviation industry and its fuel supply chain to identify opportunities to decarbonise the sector.

The Council will support Australia’s aviation industry and government to collaborate in achieving emissions reductions on the path to net zero, including through increased use of sustainable aviation fuels, adoption of emerging technologies and making operations more efficient.

I look forward to continuing to work across government, with industry and with international partners to drive the decarbonisation of aviation and secure a greener, more sustainable future. 

$750 million for councils local road and infrastructure priorities

Joint Media Release from The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

MEDIA RELEASE | Monday 03 July 2023

The next funding phase of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, totalling $750 million, is now available for councils across Australia to nominate projects. Phase 4 funding allocations include an additional $250 million targeted to improve rural, regional and outer urban roads. Projects funded under Phase 4 are expected to be completed by 30 June 2025.

The Australian Government has committed $3.25 billion to the LRCI program over four phases. Every local government is allocated and able to nominate projects for LRCI funding. The LRCI program works in partnership with councils to provide them flexibility to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects relevant to their region, creating jobs and long-lasting benefits for communities.

In March, the Government extended project construction timelines for Phases 1–3 of the program. Councils across Australia now have until 30 June 2024 to complete works, giving them a much-needed extra year on the LRCI construction timeframes for all three phases.

Inland Rail | Supplier Capability Development Program

The ARTC Inland Rail Skills Academy is partnering with Deborah Wilson Consulting Services to facilitate a ‘Pathways to Opportunities’ capability building program for businesses along the Albury to Parkes section of Inland Rail in Southern New South Wales (NSW). The program, which will run over a nine month period, will help regional businesses understand how to engage with buyers, prepare compliant tender submissions, and manage contracts for work on major projects and within regional supply chains.

Applications close on 10 July 2023.

Upgrades to safeguard transmission sites during natural disasters

Media Release from The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications

The Albanese Government will improve the resilience of 107 ABC radio sites used for emergency broadcasting which are at a higher risk of service failure due to natural disasters.

The $20 million Broadcasting Resilience Program (BRP) will keep communities in rural and regional Australia informed and connected during natural disasters by increasing the resilience of ABC broadcast sites across the country.

The national backbone of rural and regional broadcasting is provided by BAI Communications who will deliver the work program over the next three years to:

• establish 55 new emergency power systems (e.g. battery and diesel backup) at ABC Local Radio sites;

• deliver backup program inputs (e.g. satellite input) for 77 ABC Local Radio sites to quickly re-establish broadcast services;

• deliver civil and infrastructure upgrades to 10 ABC AM sites in areas susceptible to flooding; and

• supply five rapid recovery assets that can be rapidly deployed anywhere in Australia during a natural disaster or other significant event.

The upgrades on these sites – including multiple types of upgrade on a single site – will also have a wide range of additional benefits to other service providers who are co-located on many BAI sites including commercial broadcasters, telecommunications providers and state and territory emergency services.

This announcement is in addition to the $50 million Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation (TDRI) program and the $15 million Mobile Network Hardening Program previously announced by the Albanese Government. Both programs are part of the Albanese Government’s $656 million Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia funded in the October 2022 Budget.

The 2020 Royal Commission on National Natural Disaster Arrangements Final Report acknowledged the important role played by broadcast media in the coverage of emergency warnings and information to the community during the 2019-20 bushfire season and identified disruptions to power supply as a significant vulnerability. The BRP ultimately aims to improve the preparedness of these sites and infrastructure on it against increasing natural disasters.

The Liberal National Coalition had years to act on proposals to harden broadcast transmissions sites to improve safety for communities in rural and regional Australia, but did nothing.

For more information on the Better Connectivity Plan visit https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/better-connectivity-plan-regional-and-rural-australia

Multicultural NSW Settlement Strategy

The NSW Settlement Strategy brings together existing and new NSW Government initiatives to improve settlement outcomes for people from refugee and refugee-like backgrounds living in NSW.

The NSW Settlement Strategy provides a framework for the NSW Government to:

• have a shared understanding of what successful settlement means

• continue to deliver services and programs that are working well

• collaboratively address areas for attention

• evaluate and apply learnings to improve settlement outcomes in NSW.

The NSW Settlement Strategy will be implemented by the NSW Government from February 2023 to June 2025. The Action Plan will complement and strengthen programs and initiatives underway in NSW that are led by the Commonwealth Government and non-government sector.

The full strategy is available in english here.

The NSW Settlement Strategy Summary is available in 17 languages here.

Sustainable aviation fuels set for take-off

Media Release from The Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

A homegrown sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry could help decarbonise the hard-to-abate aviation sector and create thousands of regional jobs, with grants backed by the Albanese Government. 

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will invest $30 million to support development of domestic SAF production from agricultural feedstocks.

The global air transport industry is committed to net-zero by 2050, but low SAF production and high prices are standing in the way.

ARENA’s 2021 Bioenergy Roadmap found a local bioenergy industry could contribute around $10 billion in extra GDP by 2030, supporting more than 26,000 new jobs.

Grants for engineering studies or pilot programmes across the supply chain, from agricultural feedstock supply to final fuel production, will fast track development of a local industry in regional Australia.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said SAF presented a huge opportunity for Australia.

“The world’s climate emergency is Australia’s jobs opportunity, and this is true for the aviation industry which is looking to reduce emissions - a homegrown sustainable aviation fuels industry could create more than 7,400 jobs by 2030, most of them in regional areas,” Minister Bowen said.

“Australia’s strong agricultural sector means we could be a global leader by scaling up domestic production of renewable fuel for exports, which could help reduce global aviation emissions significantly.

“This investment means the beginning of airlines being able to source their fuel from a variety of sources and decrease our dependence on importing fuels from overseas.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said Australia both had the need and resources to support a SAF industry.

“With our population spread across an entire continent, aviation is often the only viable option for freight and passenger transport, and a domestic SAF industry can help transition the domestic industry,” Minister King said.

“And with enormous volumes of tallow and canola oil currently shipped offshore due to attractive incentives offered by other governments, there is huge potential for Australia to become a sustainable fuels powerhouse.

“The outcomes of the ARENA-backed projects could have huge implications for regional Australia, and we will be closely following them as a government.”

ARENA will open applications for grants by mid-July.

Consultation opens on new laws to tackle online misinformation and disinformation

Media Release from The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications

Public consultation has commenced on a new framework to empower the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to hold digital platforms to account for harmful misinformation and disinformation online.
 
These proposed powers will bring greater transparency to efforts by digital platforms to respond to misinformation and disinformation on their services, while balancing freedom of expression which is at the heart of democracy.
 
The release of exposure draft legislation gives industry and the community the opportunity to review proposed ACMA information-gathering, record-keeping, code registration and standard-making powers to compel digital platforms to do more to protect Australians from the threat of online misinformation and disinformation.
 
The draft framework focuses on systemic issues which pose a risk of harm on digital platforms. It does not empower the ACMA to determine what is true or false or to remove individual content or posts. The code and standard-making powers will not apply to professional news content or authorised electoral content.
 
Platforms will continue to be responsible for the content they host and promote to users. If platforms fail to act to combat misinformation and disinformation over time, the ACMA would be able to draw on its reserve powers to register enforceable industry codes with significant penalties for non-compliance, or create a standard requiring platforms to lift the bar on their efforts.

Codes or standards could include measures such as stronger tools to empower users to identify and report misinformation and disinformation, ensure more robust complaints handling, and enable more extensive use of fact checkers.

The proposed powers implement the key recommendations in the ACMA’s June 2021 report to government on the adequacy of digital platforms’ disinformation and news quality measures. The powers build upon and are intended to strengthen and support the voluntary code developed by the Digital Industry Group Inc. (DIGI).
 
Public consultation will close on Sunday, 6 August, with legislation to be introduced into Parliament later this year.
 
To find out more and have your say, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say

ACCC looking for fixed wireless customers to take part in Australia's leading study on internet performance

Help regional consumers choose the best broadband services

Since 2018, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has run the Measuring Broadband Australia program which enables consumers, industry and policymakers to better understand how Australians are experiencing internet performance, including download speeds and reliability, in their homes.

The ACCC are looking for customers on fixed wireless plans to sign up to be part of Australia's leading study on internet performance.

Using global internet performance monitoring platform, SamKnows, the ACCC are collecting and analysing broadband data to help consumers all over Australia understand drivers of variable network performance and empowering informed discussions with internet providers.

The ACCC would like to understand how your fixed wireless household streams, games, surfs and searches to help us better measure internet performance in regional Australia.

To participate in Australia's leading study on internet performance you can:

• Sign up

• If selected, receive your SamKnows Whitebox in the mail

• Plug the Whitebox into your router

• Sit back and let the Whitebox measure your internet performance.

Tests are run when you’re not using your connection, so that it doesn’t disrupt your service. Your internet usage is not monitored by the Whitebox.

Not only will you be helping to monitor Australian broadband performance, but the SamKnows Whitebox allows you to track the performance of your service.

SamKnows will even send a handy summary of your internet performance each month and let you know if anything needs your attention.

Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes new forest partnership

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) welcomes Agriculture Minister Murray Watt’s announcement establishing a new Strategic Forest and Renewable Materials Partnership to work with the Albanese Government on issues facing the forest products sector, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA Joel Fitzgibbon said recently.

Co-chaired by AFPA Chair Diana Gibbs and CFMEU Manufacturing Secretary Michael O’Connor, the Partnership aims to help the Government achieve its own goals around climate, the environment, and sovereign capability through engagement with all relevant stakeholders.

A total of 15 representatives from across industry, unions, indigenous, environmental and other stakeholder groups will sit on the Strategic Partnership to advise, consult and cooperate with the Government on plans to ensure the sector realises its full potential and to further enhance its role in addressing climate change and building sovereign capability in the resourcing and manufacture of sustainable and renewable timber and wood fibre products.

“Today I thank the Government and Minister Watt for fulfilling a key pre-election commitment by announcing this new Strategic Partnership. With the right strategy and government guidance, the forest products sector can employ more people, make a larger contribution to the economy, make more things here and play an even greater role in addressing the climate change,” Joel Fitzgibbon said on May 24th.

AFPA Chair Diana Gibbs also welcomed the collaboration the Strategic Partnership will provide.

“This is an exciting opportunity for all voices to support the important role of the forest products sector in Australia’s future. Not just of course for the climate and achieving sovereign capability, but also in providing employment and value-adding in the regions,” Diana Gibbs said.

“I truly believe we have a key role providing sustainable products to replace plastics and carbon intensive building materials and it will be exciting to get the Partnership operating to help achieve the outcomes we all need,” Diana Gibbs concluded.

Regional Australia Institute releases The Big Skills Challenge report

Regional job vacancies grew three times faster than metropolitan Australia at the end of 2022, with supply struggling to keep up with demand.

The RAI’s latest report, Regional Jobs 2022: The Big Skills Challenge, identifies the biggest gaps in critical roles. Regional vacancies for Medical Practitioners and Nurses represent almost half of the total national vacancies for this occupation grouping, despite regional Australia representing only one-third of the national population.

Regional Jobs 2022: The Big Skills Challenge, identifies the top four most in-demand online advertised roles across regional Australia for December. These include:

• Medical Practitioners and Nurses – 6,166

• General Inquiry Clerks, Call Centre Workers and Receptionists – 5,941

• Carers and Aides – 5,416

• Sales Assistants and Salespersons – 4,527