Speech - Australian Internet Governance Forum

Hi, I'm Michelle Rowland, Australia's Communications Minister. 

Thank you for inviting me to share some remarks about the work of the Australian Government in the area of internet governance.

I understand people are joining this forum in-person and online - from around Australia and further beyond. 

I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the many lands across Australia. 

I pay respect to elders past and present and extend this to First Nations people taking part. 

The Australian Government supports an open, free and secure Internet.

We have long advocated for a multi-stakeholder approach to Internet governance. 

All stakeholders have a valuable contribution to make, and must be part of the governance discussions and decisions to help achieve the Internet we want. 

Which brings us to the importance of this forum. 

This year’s theme - ‘Connecting local and global’ - reflects the value of these important conversations at a local, regional and global level. 

In a time of rapid technology change, and a growing digital divide, the value of open and inclusive dialogue cannot be overstated.

Our governance approach allows for community-based decision-making on policy and technical standards, and management of the Internet. 

Critically, this means no one stakeholder group has a stronger voice. 

Instead, embracing the breadth of expertise and perspectives in this space.

Our Government is working across multiple fronts to keep Australians safe online. 

This includes addressing seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation, which I am pleased to see will be discussed on tomorrow’s program. 

The spread of this type of content threatens the safety and wellbeing of Australians, our democracy, society and economy.

Governments and regulators are grappling with this issue worldwide.

80 per cent of Australians want action. This is why we have introduced a Bill to Parliament that will hold platforms to account.

Doing nothing is not an option in this space.

The wellbeing of Australia’s society and economy relies on a resilient global Internet, based on stable and secure technical infrastructure. 

We all have a part to play in protecting this infrastructure, and addressing digital and internet governance policy issues.

A multi-stakeholder approach helps to address online harms, protect the rights of users, and harness the social and economic benefits of the digital world.  

This approach underpins the growth and vitality of our digital economy and should continue to be employed as we continue to face emerging challenges.

The Asia Pacific region is economically, linguistically and geographically diverse. 

This diversity is not always represented in governance, organisations and processes. 

A diverse and representative system will more effectively address challenges, such as closing the digital divide. 

And support our goal of uplifting cyber-resilience and safety across the region.

We are at a pivotal point for Internet and digital governance. 

Recently, United Nations Member States agreed on the Global Digital Compact -  setting out a vision for a free, open, secure and inclusive digital future. 

Through this process, the international community made a collective call for safe, accessible technology that is equitably distributed. 

Next year, the UN will review the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society – 20 years after they were agreed. 

These events have the potential to shape how the digital space is managed into the future. 

The Australian Government wants to keep the broader stakeholder community at the policymaking table. 

Leading into the World Summit, we will rely on continued engagement to develop robust policy, and ensure Australia can effectively influence this process.

Australia is committed to working collectively to close digital divides and ensure a robust future for multi-stakeholder Internet governance. 

I encourage everyone to get involved, collaborate, and to share their ideas for the future of the Internet. 

Thank you.