Australians living and working in regional, rural and remote communities have under a week to have their say on telecommunications issues as part of the Australian Government’s Regional Telecommunications Review.
The Hon Alannah MacTiernan, Chair, Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, has also urged people to spread the word about the Review to friends, family and colleagues across regional Australia before it closes on Wednesday 31 July at 11:59pm.
“This opportunity comes around only once every three years and we are in the final stretch before the Committee delivers its recommendations back to government,” the Hon Alannah MacTiernan said.
“People in regional, rural and remote Australia are relying on telecommunications services more than ever before and reliable, high-speed connectivity supports public safety, day-to-day business, social inclusion and access to essential health and education services.”
People can have their say in a number of ways:
- making a submission online or in writing to:
Regional Telecommunications Review
GPO Box 594, CANBERRA ACT 2601
- completing a short survey which will take 10 minutes.
- participating in a face-to-face consultation, with consultations still to be held in southern NSW, north Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
The Committee has been examining the experiences of people in regional, rural, and remote parts of Australia and the suitability of their telecommunications services.
Residents, businesses and community organisations can make a submission or complete the survey, with the Terms of Reference outlining key issues for the Committee to examine. An issues paper has also been released to shape ideas.
The input of local communities will form an essential part of the Review – held once every three years – which will see the Committee deliver its recommendations to the government.
Previous Reviews have led to policy initiatives and programs such as the Mobile Black Spot Program and the National Audit of Mobile Coverage; all a direct result of community feedback.
The Terms of Reference, set by Federal Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, outline the key focus areas in the Review, including the:
- opportunities for new and emerging technologies to strengthen telecommunications systems in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia,
- effectiveness of existing government initiatives,
- modernisation of the universal services arrangements,
- strengthening telecommunications in natural disasters,
- extent to which the needs of First Nations communities are being met.
The Chair is also joined on the Committee by Mr Ian Kelly, Ms Kristy Sparrow, the Hon Fiona Nash and Dr Jessa Rogers.
The Committee will report to Minister Rowland by 31 December 2024.
“I would encourage every regional Australian to tell their friends, family, and colleagues about this opportunity and to get their own views in ahead of the closing date in a few short weeks,” the Hon Alannah MacTiernan said.
For more information on the Review, to make a submission, or to complete the survey, visit: https://www.rtirc.gov.au/consultation
