Appendix A: Expense Measures (Continued)
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Digital productivity — Digital Communities — Digital Hubs, Local Government and Community Engagement
| 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | 2012‑13 | 2013‑14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy |
- | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $40.9 million over three years to assist local communities take advantage of the benefits of the National Broadband Network (NBN).
The funding includes $23.8 million over three years for the creation of local digital hubs to facilitate community access to and training about the NBN in each of the 40 communities to first benefit from the NBN.
In addition, the funding includes $17.1 million over three years for a grants program to support local government organisations to deliver online services in each of the 40 communities to first benefit from the NBN. The program aims to develop solutions that can be adopted by other councils as the NBN rolls out.
Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates as a 'decision taken but not yet announced' in the 2011‑12 Budget.
Further information can be found in the press releases of 31 May and 22 June 2011 issued by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
Digital productivity — digital enterprises
| 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | 2012‑13 | 2013‑14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy |
- | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $12.4 million over three years to help small‑to‑medium businesses and not‑for‑profit organisations across Australia take advantage of the online opportunities offered by the National Broadband Network (NBN).
The program will provide training, advice and support services to businesses in the NBN early rollout areas to assist them to improve their online presence, transact online, offer new products and services, expand their market, improve their competitiveness and increase their means of communicating with customers and suppliers. It will also assist not‑for‑profit organisations to engage online to expand their reach into the community and increase their donor pool.
Provision for this funding has already been included in the forward estimates as a 'decision taken but not yet announced' in the 2011‑12 Budget.
Further information can be found in the press release of 31 May 2011 issued by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
Independent Inquiry into Australian Media
| 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | 2012‑13 | 2013‑14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy |
- | 1.4 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $1.4 million in 2011‑12 to fund an independent inquiry into the media in Australia.
The review will be conducted by an independent committee and will examine the operation of print media regulation, including online publications and the operation of the Australian Press Council.
The review is expected to be finalised by 28 February 2012, with the findings to be incorporated into the final report of the broader Convergence Review due at the end of March 2012.
Further information can be found in the press release of 14 September 2011 issued by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
National Broadband Network — enhanced commitment for the delivery of the Universal Service Obligation
| 2010‑11 | 2011‑12 | 2012‑13 | 2013‑14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy |
- | - | nfp | nfp | - |
The Government will provide additional funding in 2012‑13 and 2013‑14 to maintain basic universal telecommunication services during the roll out of the National Broadband Network. This funding is in addition to the Government's previously announced commitment to provide funding of $50 million per annum in 2012‑13 and 2013‑14.
From 1 July 2012, the Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency (TUSMA) is expected to be responsible for delivering the Universal Service Obligation (USO) and other public interest services. Until 30 June 2014 the costs of TUSMA will be met through a combination of budget funding and a consolidated industry levy. This additional commitment will ensure contributors to the industry levy, with the exception of Telstra, will not face an increase to their aggregate funding contribution.
Arrangements for funding the USO from 1 July 2014 to 1 January 2018 are subject to review. The nature of the USO must be reviewed prior to 1 January 2018.
This funding will be retained in the Contingency Reserve pending the finalisation of the Definitive Agreements between Telstra and NBN Co, regulatory approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the passage of TUSMA related legislation.
Further information can be found in the joint press release of 23 June 2011 issued by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Finance and Deregulation and the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
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