Media releases

New Centre makes it easier for eligible families to connect to free NBN The Albanese Government is making it easier for eligible families to access 12 months free broadband over the NBN, with the launch of a new National Referral Centre to support the ongoing rollout of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).

New appointments to the ABC Board The Albanese Government has appointed Ms Nicolette Maury and Ms Louise McElvogue as non-executive Directors to the ABC Board for five-year terms.  

ACCC accepts revised NBN Co Special Access Undertaking variation The decision by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to accept NBN Co’s Special Access Undertaking (SAU) is a positive outcome for households, NBN Co and industry.  

Albanese Government proposes new rules to improve mobile coverage in new developments The Albanese Government has today opened consultation on draft planning rules to include consideration of mobile coverage in new housing developments.  

Taskforce to drive high tech communications for first responders Australia’s first responders are now one step closer to improved communications during an emergency, following the establishment of the Public Safety Mobile Broadband (PSMB) Taskforce.  

New mandatory minimum classifications for gambling-like games content The Albanese Government will introduce mandatory minimum classifications for computer games containing gambling-like content from September 2024, following unanimous agreement from the states and territories.  

Government demands dating sites do better by Australians The online dating industry has been asked to develop a new voluntary industry code of practice to better protect Australians using their services – or they will face regulation.  

Matildas FIFA World Cup matches added to anti-siphoning list The Albanese Government has amended the anti-siphoning list to include future matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Legislation to ban credit cards for online gambling Australians at risk of online gambling harm will be better protected through a ban on credit card payments and fines of up to $234,750 for companies who don’t enforce it, through legislation to be introduced by the Albanese Labor Government to Par

Tender opens for the National Audit of Mobile Coverage I welcome the release by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts of the request for tender (RFT) to conduct a National Audit of Mobile Coverage.

Boost for South Australian Families as free NBN opportunity delivered More families in the South Australia without broadband at home now have access to a free NBN connection for 12 months as part of the Albanese Government’s ongoing roll-out of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).  

More school kids to be connected to free internet through SSBI The Australian Government’s ongoing rollout of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) has connected around 3,000 families with school students across the country to 12 months of free NBN.

$15 million available to boost mobile resilience during disasters Applications are now open for Round 2 of the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP) to strengthen the resilience of mobile services across regional, rural and remote Australia.

Australian Government welcomes new industry code for search engines The Minister for Communications has welcomed the eSafety Commissioner’s registration of a new industry code of practice to tackle seriously harmful online content.

Appointments to NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) The Albanese Government has reappointed Mr Stephen Rue as a Director and appointed Mr Mike Mrdak AO as a non-executive Director of the NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) Board.