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.