The Australian Government has responded to the Glasson Report. The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced a number of measures to address telecommunications issues for regional Australia.
The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, chaired by Dr Bill Glasson AO, assessed telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia and tabled a report last October.
Now, in line with the Review’s recommendations, the Federal Government says $61.1 million will be made available to respond to recommendations that can be addressed immediately. This funding will be used to develop and implement targeted initiatives for regional telecommunications.
According to the government, this includes a $46 million Digital Regions Initiative, which will enhance the delivery of health, education and emergency services in regional areas through innovative broadband programs co-funded with all tiers of government.
The government also said the Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme will continue and be further enhanced through $11.4 million in funding, which includes the replacement of older handsets for those without terrestrial mobile coverage, and making more handsets available to emergency services and health organisations with a demonstrated need.
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