Federal Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, has invited remote Indigenous communities to apply for funding under the new $36.6 million Backing Indigenous Ability telecommunications program.
“Part of the $1.1 billion Connect Australia package, Backing Indigenous Ability, will extend essential telecommunications services such as robust public phones, Internet access and videoconferencing facilities, to people living in remote Indigenous communities,” Senator Coonan said. “An important element of the program will be providing funding to develop Indigenous online content.”
More than 110,000 Indigenous Australians live in communities of up to 3,500 inhabitants. Around 400 of Australia’s approximately 1,200 remote Indigenous communities are estimated to be without any access to telecommunications services.
“Under Backing Indigenous Ability, priority will be given to remote communities with limited telecommunications facilities or none,” Senator Coonan said. “Backing Indigenous Ability will provide up to 150 communities with Internet services, enabling communities to access health, education, legal, employment and welfare services more easily. It will also enable entrepreneurial Indigenous communities the opportunity to set up micro businesses and commercial activities such as tourism and selling art and music. Communities will also receive valuable training to ensure the ongoing use and application of basic telecommunications services in Indigenous communities.”
Almost 12 months of consultation following the release of a discussion paper in 2006 has seen the development of a tailored package to target the needs of remote Indigenous communities.
A number of regional agents will assist remote Indigenous communities to apply for funding and implement their projects as part of the program. Applications for the first round of funding will close on 20 April 2007.
The program guidelines and application forms are available from www.dcita.gov.au/bia or from the Backing Indigenous Ability freecall line on 1800 355 014.
