Australian government launches the First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan
The Australian government has launched the First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan to address the digital gap experienced by Indigenous Australians.
The First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan was launched on 23 July, after two years of consultations. During the last Digital Inclusion Advisory Group meeting on 11 July in Sydney, Australia, the Albanese government and experts set the plans for advancing Target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. Target 17 aims to ensure equal digital inclusion for First Nations Australians by 2026.
The First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan aims to close the digital gap between Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians by providing reliable and affordable telecommunications services and necessary training. A week before its launch, the Australian Digital Inclusion Index found that a considerable digital gap persists between First Nations and non-First Nations Australians. The plan is geared towards a holistic approach to resolving issues of access, affordability, and digital literacy. The Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, said all Australians deserve access to affordable and reliable connectivity, especially those in rural and regional areas should have access to cost-effective and reliable internet connectivity.
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