Address to Australia’s ITU Council re-election campaign reception

Distinguished colleagues, I am pleased to welcome you all this afternoon to seek your support for Australia’s re-election to the ITU Council.

As you have heard, Australia is firmly committed to the ITU’s mission to connect the world.

Australia actively supports capacity-building projects in the Asia-Pacific including on issues such as the management of telephone numbers, national emergency telecommunications, Computer Incident Response Teams, and Smart Village and Smart Island Initiatives.

We firmly believe digital development objectives should prioritise providing those who remain unconnected with accessible, affordable and resilient connectivity. 

This is a field I worked in prior to entering parliament, and I have first hand experience of the vital role ITU standards can play, particularly in developing countries.

Reflecting on Australia’s situation, ours is a big country with a large number of remote communities. Our reality means the challenge to connect the unconnected, in particular our Indigenous communities, is front-of-mind and a key focus of government.

On ITU Council, Australia supports sound financial management and incorporating a diversity of perspectives and experience into the work of the ITU.

Australia has helped drive important reforms on the management of financial and human resources, to support an ITU that is more transparent, accountable and responsive to its membership. This year, the Australian Government was proud to partner with the ITU to deliver a gender-equality initiative, providing training to help women delegates prepare for negotiating, policy-making and chairing roles at this Conference and beyond. 

Australia’s commitment to building global connectivity remains strong.

I warmly encourage those here today to support Australia for re-election to Council for the Asia and Australasia region.

Thank you and I wish you every success at this important conference.