Skip to main content
Home
  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 16/04/2024
  • The Legislative Council meets on 16/04/2024 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 16/04/2024
  • The Public Administration meets on 08/04/2024 (10:00 AM)
    Committee meet 08/04/2024

Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 544 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 August 2021 by Hon Wilson Tucker

Parliament: 41 Session: 1

DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY — REMOTE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES

544. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Innovation and ICT:

I refer the minister to my question without notice 428 on 5 August in which I asked whether the state government collected data on internet connectivity for remote Indigenous communities. The minister will recall that the answer he gave was: no, as ''internet connectivity falls under the regulation of the commonwealth government''. I draw to the minister's attention the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to which the state government is a party. I draw attention in particular to target 17—that by 2026, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equal levels of digital inclusion.

(1) Does the state government take any responsibility for improving the level of digital inclusion for Aboriginal people?

(2) If no to (1), how is this consistent with the state government's obligations under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap?

(3) If yes to (1), how does the state government intend to achieve target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap without any data on internet connectivity in remote Indigenous communities?

(4) Would the minister like to reconsider his answer to my question on 5 August?

The PRESIDENT: Before I give the parliamentary secretary the call, again, I remind members of standing order 105, and the necessity for concise questions. We will now expect quite a long answer.

Hon KYLE McGINN replied:

Thank you, President. You are correct!

I thank the member for some notice of the question. The answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Innovation and ICT.

(1) Yes. The WA government recently announced the new Digital strategy for the Western Australian government 2021–2025: Convenient, smart and secure services for all Western Australians. One of the four strategic priorities is ''Digitally inclusive''. Under this priority, the government will seek to improve digital inclusion outcomes for all Western Australians, including Aboriginal people. To improve digital inclusion, we intend to focus on improving connectivity, affordability, skills and the design of digital services. However, Australia as a Federation comprises different levels of government with distinct constitutional responsibilities. As such, certain matters such as telecommunications fall under the jurisdiction of the commonwealth. Western Australia is making strategic interventions in areas where the commonwealth is failing to meet its obligations. Although the state is unable to fill all of these gaps, we have provided support to Aboriginal communities. For example, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has funded the deployment of a pay-as-you-go community wi-fi pilot project at Tjuntjuntjara, which provides free access to gov.au sites and a free local phone network for the community.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) The Aboriginal engagement directorate, Department of the Premier and Cabinet is to advise. Minister Punch's office is liaising with Minister Dawson and the Aboriginal engagement directorate.

(4) No.