Submission to the NSW Digital Inclusion Strategy

Digital inclusion is crucial for enhancing access to services, education, and participation in the digital economy, especially for underserved communities in rural and remote areas. Currently, there is a significant digital divide between urban centres like Sydney and rural regions such as Brewarrina and Central Darling, where internet access and digital literacy remain alarmingly low.

ATSE’s submission highlights the importance of enhancing telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas to ensure equitable access to digital services. It also emphasises that improved digital access can play a vital role in preserving culture and providing essential services for Aboriginal communities, allowing them to share and teach their heritage more effectively. The submission underscores the necessity of a comprehensive and inclusive approach to digital inclusion in NSW. By addressing infrastructure gaps, focusing on affordability, enhancing digital literacy, and leveraging new technologies, the NSW Digital Inclusion Strategy can significantly improve the digital landscape for all communities, particularly those that are currently underserved. 

Recommendations from ATSE’s submission 

Recommendation 1: Invest in infrastructure development and maintenance, affordability, access to devices, and appropriate training and engagement programs, to improve digital inclusion in NSW. 

Recommendation 2: Prioritise investment to affordable access to digital devices and services for regional, rural and remote Aboriginal communities. 

Recommendation 3: Interface with the Roadmap for First Nations Digital Inclusion to deliver digital literacy programs. 

Recommendation 4: Enhance collaboration between government departments, universities and digital platforms and support independent fact-checking organisations to maintain digital ecosystem integrity. 

Recommendation 5: Develop enhanced digital products using AI and machine learning and extend 5G deployment to enable improved digital engagement.