Media Release

Proposals to shape Australia's digital regions

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today called for proposals to deliver innovative digital services for regional, rural and remote Australia.

"The $60 million Digital Regions Initiative will fund projects that deliver high-quality digital applications for education, health and emergency services supported by the National Broadband Network," Senator Conroy said.

"Regional, rural and remote Australia has much to gain from our broadband investments and this program provides support for community-focussed digital initiatives."

"The Digital Regions Initiative will ensure Australians living outside our major metropolitan centres benefit directly from improved access to digital health services, online educational opportunities and improved emergency and disaster response."

Senator Conroy today announced the publication of Digital Regions Initiative final guidelines and called for expression of interest from potential funding recipients. The guidelines call for collaboration between innovators and all levels of government to ensure projects provide maximum benefit for the community.

"The National Broadband Network will change the way we address regional service delivery, providing improved access to specialist healthcare, education and emergency services for all Australians," Senator Conroy said.

"Australia has a wealth of innovators who understand the transformative potential of digital technologies and I look forward to seeing the proposals put forward."

The Digital Regions Initiative was announced as part of the Government's initial response to the Glasson Regional Telecommunications Review in March 2009. Further funding was announced in the 2009-10 Budget.

Expressions of interest are now open and will close on 14 September 2009.

Digital Regions Initiative online: www.dbcde.gov.au/digitalregions

Date: 20 August 2009
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457