Media Release | FNMA response to budget 2023

First Nations Media Australia CEO Professor Shane Hearn welcomed the Albanese government’s commitment in last night’s Budget to provide additional funding in 2023–24 to support broadcasting services in remote and First Nations communities.

‘FNMA has long called for a targeted broadcasting, infrastructure and digital network upgrade program to bring First Nations radio services up to industry standard, especially in regional and remote areas,’ Professor Hearn said.

‘We commend this commitment to support for remote First Nations broadcasters and to an initiative assessing the state of broadcasting transmission and reception equipment in remote areas.’

He observed this was a positive development, against the backdrop of the Government’s commitment to improving the sustainability of the Community Broadcasting Program through an increase in funding allocation of $600,000 in indexation to match rising living costs.

Professor Hearn also welcomed the injection of $10 million to improve mobile phone coverage and internet connections for First Nations people in Central Australia, who experience high levels of social and digital marginalisation.

‘Digital connectivity is essential to the ongoing viability, economic and social participation of First Nations communities in regional and remote Australia, without which it is increasingly difficult for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live, learn, work, establish businesses and access essential services.’

Professor Hearn acknowledged the government’s ongoing commitment to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the investment of $20 million to progress Regional Voice arrangements, commenting that:

‘To ensure that First Nations voices in remote and regional communities are heard, we urge the government to recognise the potential role of First Nations broadcasters in progressing these arrangements, given they already provide a voice for our people at local and regional levels.’

You can view the previous FNMA Budget media release here.