Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP and Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Ged Kearney MP dropped into 3KND today to yarn about Telecommunications and the work being done around blackspots and community infrastructure. Both went live to air on Kool 'N' Deadly this morning.
Michelle Rowland was born in Blacktown Hospital, grew up in Seven Hills, attended St Bernadettes in Lalor Park and got her first job at a Supermarket in Blacktown. In the years that followed, Michelle practiced as a lawyer in the communications industry, was elected as Deputy Mayor of Blacktown Council, became the Federal Member for Greenway and now is the Federal Minister for Communications…Married to Michael they have two girls, Octavia and Aurelia.
Ged Kearney is the Federal Member for Cooper. Ged has served in the parliament since March 2018, when she was elected in a by-election. She is the first woman to hold the seat.
Nurse. Unionist. Grandma and now Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon Ged Kearney … her parents were the publicans at the Lord Raglan for over 35 years where her mum and dad worked hard. The Hon Ged Kearney MP has represented the people of Cooper as the first women to hold the seat and the first Victorian nurse elected to the Federal Parliament.
Ged is an advocate for better Telecommunication services like Telehealth for patient records to be on hand and on line accessible when required.
Having both Ministers in our studios brought about clear communication that we were all on the same page and working towards total high end service and how important Community Radio is in truthtelling, local engagement and the whole communications sector.
Here are some examples for what's being done…
The Albanese Government has bolstered its commitment to narrowing the digital divide for First Nations Australians by providing an additional $10 million in funding to the latest round of the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
This funding will deliver dedicated solutions to improve digital connectivity for First Nations communities in Central Australia.
Improvements in digital connectivity will help address low levels of digital inclusion for individuals and communities and, in turn, support improved social inclusion and access to online services including health, education and social support services.
This commitment will increase the Government’s total funding available under the combined grant opportunity to $160 million, bringing together the RCP and the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) across two streams:
“This additional funding will help ensure those in First Nations communities in Central Australia and other underserved regions have access to better mobile connectivity and improved telecommunications infrastructure; both of which are vital to keep people connected, run businesses, and call for help during an emergency.
Hon Michelle Rowland MP and The Hon Ged Kearney Interview on 3KND