Rural
3 May, 2024
Reception issues in focus
Communities across regional, rural, and remote Australia can now have their say on telecommunications issues, as public submissions open on the Regional Telecommunications Review.
The input of local communities will form an essential part of the Review – held once every three years – which will see the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee deliver recommendations to Government.
The Review is closely examining the experiences of people in regional, rural, and remote parts of Australia with telecommunications delivery, as well as considering the unique needs of First Nations communities.
Residents, businesses and community organisations can make a submission, with the Terms of Reference outlining key issues for the Committee to examine.
An issues paper has been released to help frame ideas.
The 2024 Review is being led by the Hon Alannah MacTiernan, former Western Australian Minister for Regional Development as Chair of the Review Committee.
Hon Alannah MacTiernan said it’s essential for regional residents and businesses to have access to telecommunication services, encouraging people to take part in the survey.
“Access to telecommunications services is critical for regional residents and businesses across so many aspects of everyday life – and we want to understand the lived experience of these services so that future policy actions are well targeted and backed up by evidence,” she said.
“With technology changing rapidly we also want your ideas about how things can be improved and what would make the most difference for you and your community.
“We really encourage Australians in the bush to have their say via a submission or completing the survey in coming months, while we continue our face-to-face consultations across the country.”
Feedback from the public has been essential in previous reviews to ensure the committee’s recommendations are well-targeted and based on evidence.
There are three options available to have your say: attending a face-to-face consultation, providing a formal submission, or completing a survey.
The survey will be published this month.
Visit https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/haveyour-say/2024-regionaltelecommunications-review
