Help us connect the dots across the Top End

Culture dating back to the dreamtime, exceptional biodiversity and a laid-back lifestyle, the Northern Territory is a wonderful place to live, work and travel. 

The remoteness of many communities, however, presents unique challenges when it comes to connectivity.

The Albanese Government is working to bridge this digital divide through the $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.

We are boosting broadband, Wi-Fi and telephone connectivity in communities like Alyangula, Acacia Hills, Angurugu and the Douglas-Daly region.

Free community Wi-Fi in Galiwin’ku, Wandawuy and Gan Gan will improve access to services and opportunities for locals. 

We have built new mobile base stations at Middle Point and a section of the Arnhem Highway.

We are supporting farmers with rebates of up to $30,000 to take advantage of state of art ag-tech solutions through our On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP).

Farmers across the Top End have received $100,000 collectively in rebates to date, including Trudi Oxley and Paul Thomson at Larrakeyah Station, spanning 45,000 hectares near Katherine. 

The couple have integrated an automated, portable cattle-weighing system into their business, allowing them to gain real-time data on their condition.

Trudi says the need came to the fore last dry season when out-of-season rain spoilt their pasture.

“Had we had the cattle weighing unit - instead of having to do a $5,000 or $6,000 helicopter muster with a 25 km walk-in and back - to understand their rate of weight loss … we could have intervened much earlier and got a very different result five or six months later. The cost-benefits of early intervention will be huge. ”

The Albanese Government is boosting OFCP Round 2 funding to $18 million and expanding eligibility so more farmers can take part. 

We are also boosting the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure to help maintain connectivity through natural disasters. 

But we know more can be done.

The Regional Telecommunications Review will help to inform our work to uplift connectivity by identifying key issues facing regional Australia.

The public consultation – which visits Darwin and Katherine this Thursday - is an opportunity for people to share their voices, experiences and ideas.

We want to hear from a diverse range of stakeholders, like small business and industry, community and First Nations groups, state and local government. 

Good policy and outcomes are collaborative and evidence-based. 

The last Regional Telecommunications Review was in 2021 and we have acted on key findings like supporting the uptake of ag-tech connectivity.

In 2024, as demand for data continues to grow, it is essential every Australian is well connected regardless of postcode or circumstance.

Not only to log-in to work, study, shop or scroll, but to access essential healthcare, banking and government services delivered online.

Labor is supporting regional connectivity. 

Households and businesses across the NT are benefiting from our substantial investment in the NBN. More than 10,000 premises have access to upgrade to full-fibre broadband connections as a result.

For customers reliant on Sky Muster, we have introduced uncapped data and we are improving NBN fixed wireless services around Darwin. 

We have connected more than 200 families across the NT to free home broadband through the School Student Broadband Initiative. This important cost-of-living initiative is saving households around $1000. I encourage families to see if they are eligible to take part.

We have made it mandatory for telcos to prioritise keeping customers experiencing financial hardship connected. 

And we’re considering the role of new technologies in the Universal Service Obligation – a longstanding safeguard to ensure reliable voice services to rural and remote consumers. 

Together, these initiatives are designed to help bridge the digital divide and ensure regional Australia is better connected than ever.

I look forward to receiving the Regional Telecommunications Review report to see how we are tracking.

In the meantime, I strongly encourage you to have your say to help ensure we create a future where connectivity is yet another reason to envy the Top End.

You can participate in public hearings on Thursday 12 September in Katherine  (9 – 10:30am) and Darwin (3:30pm – 5 pm).

For more information visit: www.rtirc.gov.au/consultation