Committee to examine communications in island territories
The federal parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has opened an inquiry into enabling communications infrastructure in Australia’s external territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
“The remoteness of Australia’s external territories makes providing communications infrastructure, technology and services particularly challenging, while at the same time even more important to the daily lives of residents,” said Committee Chair Dr Anne Webster MP.
“In addition, ensuring communications infrastructure is fit for purpose is important for the ongoing social and economic development of Australia’s external territories.”
Dr Webster added, “The Committee will examine the current communications situation in each of the territories, activity underway to enhance connectivity and services, and the options and opportunities for improving availability of and access to communications infrastructure.
“We look forward to hearing from all interested people and organisations, including residents and businesses in the external territories.”
The committee is accepting submissions addressing the terms of reference until 27 January 2021. Public hearings are expected to be held during 2021.
Webinar: Turning data protection into a business advantage
Backup is no longer a safety net, but a strategic tool for risk reduction — and the...
NVIDIA and Nokia partner to pioneer AI platform for 6G
The partnership is said to mark the beginning of the AI-native wireless era, helping to support...
Orbital traffic surges, as 13,000 active satellites recorded
As of 1 October 2025, there were 15,965 satellites catalogued around Earth, including 13,026...
