Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
WA remote emergency and health services get broadband boost
Remote area emergency and health services are being enhanced through a broadband development project jointed funded by the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments.
“The Bush Medivac Western Australia project will deliver improved emergency and health services to Australians living in regional and remote areas by providing state-of-art terrestrial and non-terrestrial broadband network infrastructure,” said Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
“This project highlights the Australian Government's commitment to working cooperatively with the states and territories to deliver productivity and life-changing capabilities to our most remote citizens and communities using broadband.”
“The Australian Government is committed to delivering world-class, high-speed broadband services and applications to all Australians, no matter where they live or work,” Senator Conroy said.
Bush Medivac WA was launched today by Senator Conroy and WA Industry and Enterprise Minister, Francis Logan, in Bunbury, Western Australia.
The project will use innovative broadband technology applications and devices that will enable the integration of West Australian health and emergency service organisations' communication systems. This will enhance the communications and coordination capabilities of all major health and emergency services for day-to-day operations and in preparation for any major incident or disasters.
The upgrades are expected to increase the operational efficiency of health and emergency service organisations in Western Australia significantly by providing increased support for regional and remote communities.
The Australian Government through the Clever Network program is providing $9.28 million in funding for the project. The West Australian Department of Industry and Resources and its consortium partners are contributing a further $12 million.
More information about Clever Networks is available at: www.dbcde.gov.au/clever_networks
Date: 18 April 2008
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457
