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250 million Networking the Nation - funding applications invited

Communities in regional, rural and remote Australia can now apply for funding under Networking the Nation - the Commonwealth Government's $250 million Regional Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund, launched recently by the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston.

"For too long Australians in regional, rural and remote communities have paid more for telecommunications than urban Australians, while receiving a second class service", the Minister said.

"Through Networking the Nation the Commonwealth Government is helping to bridge the telecommunications gap between urban and nonurban Australia, by funding a range of projects initiated by communities.

"We are not imposing solutions or prescribing any particular technology. This program encourages country communities to identify their own unique communications needs and use their imagination to develop proposals that meet those needs."

He said that the introduction of full and open competition in telecommunications from 1 July 1997 will result in more choice, better quality and cheaper prices. Networking the Nation is an added incentive to attract telecommunications developments and improvements in regional Australia. Nearly $50 million a year will be available for projects over the next five years.

"Successful projects funded under Networking the Nation will stimulate social and economic development," the Minister said. "This program is about people and services - reduced isolation, better communications, business opportunities, jobs, access to services, lifestyle choices - as much as it is about the technology itself."

Advice and support for applicants is available through the program secretariat in the Department of Communications and the Arts, telephone 1800 674 058 (toll free).

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