JESS NAUNTON, HOST: For most of us, losing internet is an inconvenience. In a remote community, losing connection can mean losing access to healthcare, education, banking, even the ability to call for help. The federal government is investing $40 million across two programs to roll out free Community Wi-Fi in remote First Nations communities, including in Pormpuraaw. And today, the Federal Minister for Communications, the Minister Anika Wells, is in Pormpuraaw to speak more about this.

MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS ANIKA WELLS: Well, for somewhere like Pormpuraaw, where we are today, it means that there's Community Wi-Fi based out of the library here, and then with six satellite hubs that helps get that Wi-Fi signal out around the rest of the town. Some people even today are telling me that if they face different devices in their house out the window, they're getting the Community Wi-Fi signal. That's not guaranteed, but what it does mean if you can connect, it means that you can access all government services, MyGov, your banking, Post, those kinds of things, as well as for your kids, education services, the public broadcasters, all that kind of thing.

NAUNTON: Now, there is 20 million [dollars] being rolled out to additional communities. How are you prioritising who gets connected next?

MINISTER WELLS: We take advice from people like Lyndon, who's here with us, who's from the First Nations Digital Advisory Group, who works with myself, with NBN about trying to fix and address digital inclusivity. So we have a group of us here on the ground to try and get feedback from people about what's not working and what is. Pormpuraaw is one of the earliest sites and, like you say, there's going to be more than 70 across the country. Seven of those are here in Queensland, so we want to know what's been good and what we could do better.

NAUNTON: The government is trying to close the gap for connectivity and has been a priority, I understand, for your portfolio. But we are in 2026. So if not, how far short are we right now, do you think?

MINISTER WELLS: Well, I would say we aren't there. I'm in charge of rec 17 for Closing the Gap, and that's seeking equality with respect to digital inclusivity. And, you know, no-one would agree that we're there yet, which is why I work with Lyndon and Dot and the First Nations Advisory Group and why the NBN keeps a close watch. We've got Che Cockatoo-Collins from NBN, and we’ve got Matt Smith, the federal member all here to make sure that we have all our ducks in a row. And things like connectivity for places further away that are outside township, outside community, there are technical solutions. But it's a question of how we fund them, and those are the kind of questions we're getting into today.

NAUNTON:  The Temporary Disaster Roaming, I believe, is now operating in regional Australia. But it does only work where another carrier's network exists. So for communities with one provider and one tower, aren't the places most vulnerable to isolation still- are they still missing out?

MINISTER WELLS: We've worked with industry to get that up and running, and industry has got that up and running by 1 October, so we're about a week in. But that's why it's so important we get Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligations passed through the parliament and into effect next year. Because that means that anywhere you can see the sky, you'll be able to access calls and text.

NAUNTON: The Wi-Fi programs that you’re rolling out, do you think, Minister, it’s an acknowledgement that the commercial telecommunications market isn't delivering reliable enough connectivity?

MINISTER WELLS: The Albanese government believes no one left behind, and this is one of the ways that we're helping to address that. But also people should have hope that the way that technology is evolving, things like Amazon Kuiper, now called Amazon Leo, that NBN's in partnership with, a lot of people here today have been telling me about how they have used Starlink. Like, there is satellites getting up into the sky that is going to change how connectivity looks for us all, and it's going to make for better outcomes. But we have to make sure as a government that no one's left behind.

NAUNTON: Will this work during natural disasters, Minister? It's obviously something that we're preparing for now. Are you hopeful that this connectivity will remain during natural disasters?

MINISTER WELLS: Yes, and we've been inspecting some of the sites today here in Pormpuraaw to make sure that, like, there are 24 hours of backup power so that when, for example, a telco tower goes down, the NBN is still here to connect people to the internet for assistance in disaster situations. So things like that exist now, but I absolutely agree with you. We'd like to see more done, and we're pushing telcos and satellite companies like Starlink or Sky Muster and Amazon, who we're working with, to try and get a better offering for people in rural and remote communities.

NAUNTON: What does success look like under your leadership here when it comes to connectivity in regional and remote areas?

MINISTER WELLS: We were just talking about this at the community barbecue. I think something we could do better is articulating what our North Star is in this space, so it's an astute question from you Jess. I think we need to go a bit beyond equality, is the answer. And we're currently trying to re-cast rec 17, given we haven't met it by 2026. And I think Dot and Lyndon do a great job leading us as lawmakers through how to better articulate what that looks like. And by all means, if your listeners have views about that, we'd love to hear them.

NAUNTON: Minister, I do have to ask, there was some data released yesterday where regional Queensland saw, and particularly in some areas in North Queensland and Townsville, saw the most complaints to a telco to Telstra. I mean, what does that say when it comes to regional connectivity that we're still seeing a high number of complaints in regional Queensland?

MINISTER WELLS: I think it shows that telcos still need to do a lot better by their customers. I think they're on notice about that. We've had a couple of outages, significant outages, that have really impacted regional Queenslanders over the past few years, and I think it's completely reasonable that they expect and deserve better. We will keep their feet to the fire. We've got a number of inquiries, and some of those outage consequences are now before the federal courts. But as lawmakers, like I said, we want to get Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligations passed so that there's better universal standards for telco customers. If they can't do it at their own volition, we'll make it the law.

NAUNTON: And what's been the response in Pormpuraaw today to unveiling this to community?

MINISTER WELLS: Well, I think in Pormpuraaw, they’re doing a great job here. This is a close-knit community. Things like cyberbullying and scams that we really see taking a huge toll on other communities, they address pretty well up here, and Community Wi-Fi is going well. That's obviously deeply heartening, but we need to make sure that's the case for lots of communities across the Cape, not just one or two that have been the early benefits of Community Wi-Fi. We've got some homework to take away with us. That’s the point of us being here on the ground, and I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to come back.

NAUNTON: Federal Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, speaking there about free Wi-Fi being opened in Pormpuraaw today, and speaking with her about a couple of other issues as well for regional Queensland.