Skip to main navigation Skip to content Skip to footer links
 

Reviews and inquiries

Regional Telecommunications Inquiry

The Regional Telecommunications Inquiry (RTI) was established to examine the adequacy of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia. The Inquiry's Report, This link sends you off DCITA's websiteConnecting Regional Australia, was provided to the Minister on 8 November 2002.

The Inquiry emphasised the ongoing need for reasonable dial-up Internet access and the ongoing importance of higher bandwidth Internet services in Australia's future social and economic development-particularly in rural and regional areas-for education, healthcare, community services, commerce and entertainment. Included in the report's recommendations are:

  • a minimum dial-up data rate of 19.2 kbps (recommendation 4.1);
  • Telstra demonstrate an effective strategy to deal with any dial-up data speed issues arising from poorly-performing pair gain systems (recommendation 4.2); and
  • the Government should establish an incentive scheme for the provision of higher bandwidth services to regional, rural and remote areas, to enable all Australians to have access to services at prices comparable to those prevailing in metropolitan areas (recommendation 6.3).

The Government's response to the RTI's report was announced in June 2003.

Broadband Advisory Group

The Broadband Advisory Group (BAG) was established in March 2002 to advise the Government on broadband issues. After consulting widely with industry, Government stakeholders and the public, the Group reported to the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts on 22 January 2003. The Group's report is called Australia's Broadband Connectivity.

The Report focuses on the key sectors of education, health, and government services and more generally on regional and rural Australia. It recognises the scope for, and potential effectiveness of, Government intervention in these sectors. The report's recommendations covers universities' global research and learning networks, health outcomes and health system efficiencies, and research and development in the application and design of interactive broadband technologies and content.

The Government's response to the BAG's report was announced in June 2003 and is available here.

Wireless Broadband Inquiry of the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Inquiry Report on Wireless Broadband Technologies, This link sends you off DCITA's websiteConnecting Australia! Wireless Broadband, was released on 11 November 2002. The Report contains 14 recommendations to facilitate the use of wireless broadband in Australia. The recommendations cover the management of the radiocommunications spectrum, licensing, access to backbone services and information and training. The Government is currently considering its response to the Committee's recommendations.

Leadership and Co-ordination

Online and Communications Council

The Online and Communications Council operates as the peak ministerial forum across Australian Governments for consultation and coordination about information economy issues. The Online Council was established in 1997 as a key initiative of the Australian Government following agreement by States and Territories and local government that cooperation on online issues is needed to promote consistency at a national level. The Online Council also has a focus on rural and regional access to telecommunications.

Senior Ministers from State, Territory and local governments meet twice a year to discuss policy issues related to the information economy. More information on the operation of the Online Council is available from the This link sends you off DCITA's websiteAustralian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO).

Strategic Framework for the Information Economy

The Government recognises the importance of the information economy and its impact on Australia's future. Administered by DCITA's Office for the Information Economy, the Strategic Framework for the Information Economy sets a national direction for Australia in the information economy. The framework identifies key issues and priorities for action, particularly significant given Australia's position as one of the worlds leading producers and users of new technologies. The Strategic Framework for the Information Economy is available here.

Government services online - e-government

Australia is a world leader in the delivery of government services online and is recognised for leadership in implementing and delivering e-government and developing frameworks that support the transition from paper-based service delivery to electronic formats. Australian Government agencies such as Centrelink lead the world in delivering integrated multi-channel multi-agency services to individuals.

The Government has established a high-level Information Management Strategy Committee and a supporting Chief Information Officer Committee, which, with the This link sends you off DCITA's websiteAustralian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO), provide the key elements of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to e-government. Further information on the Government's e-government strategy is available from the This link sends you off DCITA's websiteAGIMO website.

  • Document ID: 7392 |
  • Last modified: 6 February 2008, 1:53pm