Last Chance To Have Your Say On Telecommunications Issues

There is less than a week left to have your 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 urged people to spread the word about the Review to friends, family and colleagues across the country before it closes on Wednesday, July 31 at 11:59 pm.

You can have your say in a number of ways:

• Making a submission online or in writing to Regional Telecommunications Review, GPO Box 59, Canberra ACT 2601;

• Completing a short survey that takes about 10 minutes; or

• Participating in a face-to-face consultation with consultations still to be held in southern NSW, north Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Ms MacTiernan urged people to get their submissions in by the deadline.

“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 service,” she said.

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 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 telecommunication systems in regional, rural and remote area of Australia;

• Effectiveness of existing government initiatives;

• Modernisation of the universal service arrangements;

• Strengthening telecommunications in a rural disasters;

• Extent to which the needs of First Nations communities are being met

The Committee will report to Minister Rowland by December 31, 2024.

Visit www.rtirc.gov.au/consultation for more information on the Review, to make a submission complete a survey.

• Topics:

• Communications
• Community Feedback