A Roadmap to First Nations Digital Inclusion
Tracks
Meeting 9
| Wednesday, July 23, 2025 |
| 3:15 PM - 3:35 PM |
| Meeting Room 9 |
Overview
Dot West OAM and Assoc. Prof Lyndon Ormond-Parker, First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group
Speaker
Assoc Prof. Lyndon Ormond-Parker
Co-chair
First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group
A Roadmap to First Nations Digital Inclusion
Presentation Overview
The First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group (the Advisory Group) was established by the Minister for Communications in 2023. The Advisory Group provides advice to support progress towards Target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which aims for equal levels of digital inclusion by 2026. This underpins Outcome 17 which is focused on access to information and services to enable informed decisions by First Nations Australians about their lives and communities.
The members of the Advisory Group are all First Nations Australians who are experts and advocates in digital inclusion and the media and broadcasting sector. They are supported by a Digital Inclusion Expert Panel. The Advisory Group is co-chaired by Ms Dot West OAM and Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker.
Digital inclusion is a deeply multifaceted issue, with access, affordability and digital ability all playing a role in the extent to which First Nations people and communities are digitally included. These interact in varying and complex ways, highlighting the importance of a ‘place-based’ approach and establishing strong partnerships with local communities. This also involves understanding the individual needs of First Nations communities in all aspects of a program’s design and implementation, considering their unique wants, aspirations and environment.
In December 2024, the Advisory Group launched the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap 2026 and beyond. The roadmap builds on their initial report, released in October 2023, and aims to provide strategic direction for First Nations digital inclusion policy, not just for the immediate future, but for years to come. It provides 30 recommendations aimed at addressing the key barriers to digital inclusion and supporting a strong First Nations media and broadcasting sector. These recommendations reflect ongoing engagement with First Nations people, communities and organisations, including consultation with the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group, and other stakeholders across Northern Australia.
The members of the Advisory Group are all First Nations Australians who are experts and advocates in digital inclusion and the media and broadcasting sector. They are supported by a Digital Inclusion Expert Panel. The Advisory Group is co-chaired by Ms Dot West OAM and Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker.
Digital inclusion is a deeply multifaceted issue, with access, affordability and digital ability all playing a role in the extent to which First Nations people and communities are digitally included. These interact in varying and complex ways, highlighting the importance of a ‘place-based’ approach and establishing strong partnerships with local communities. This also involves understanding the individual needs of First Nations communities in all aspects of a program’s design and implementation, considering their unique wants, aspirations and environment.
In December 2024, the Advisory Group launched the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap 2026 and beyond. The roadmap builds on their initial report, released in October 2023, and aims to provide strategic direction for First Nations digital inclusion policy, not just for the immediate future, but for years to come. It provides 30 recommendations aimed at addressing the key barriers to digital inclusion and supporting a strong First Nations media and broadcasting sector. These recommendations reflect ongoing engagement with First Nations people, communities and organisations, including consultation with the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group, and other stakeholders across Northern Australia.
Biography
Professor Ormond-Parker is an expert in First Nations digital inclusion, cultural heritage and on-country learning. He's an Alyawarr man from the Barkly Tableland region of NT, currently living in Melbourne. He's a Principal Research Fellow at RMIT, Associate Professor at the ANU, and Deputy Chair of the National Film and Sound Archives Indigenous Connections Committee.
Dot West OAM
Co-chair
First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group
A Roadmap to First Nations Digital Inclusion
Presentation Overview
The First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group (the Advisory Group) was established by the Minister for Communications in 2023. The Advisory Group provides advice to support progress towards Target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which aims for equal levels of digital inclusion by 2026. This underpins Outcome 17 which is focused on access to information and services to enable informed decisions by First Nations Australians about their lives and communities.
The members of the Advisory Group are all First Nations Australians who are experts and advocates in digital inclusion and the media and broadcasting sector. They are supported by a Digital Inclusion Expert Panel. The Advisory Group is co-chaired by Ms Dot West OAM and Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker.
Digital inclusion is a deeply multifaceted issue, with access, affordability and digital ability all playing a role in the extent to which First Nations people and communities are digitally included. These interact in varying and complex ways, highlighting the importance of a ‘place-based’ approach and establishing strong partnerships with local communities. This also involves understanding the individual needs of First Nations communities in all aspects of a program’s design and implementation, considering their unique wants, aspirations and environment.
In December 2024, the Advisory Group launched the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap 2026 and beyond. The roadmap builds on their initial report, released in October 2023, and aims to provide strategic direction for First Nations digital inclusion policy, not just for the immediate future, but for years to come. It provides 30 recommendations aimed at addressing the key barriers to digital inclusion and supporting a strong First Nations media and broadcasting sector. These recommendations reflect ongoing engagement with First Nations people, communities and organisations, including consultation with the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group, and other stakeholders across Northern Australia.
The members of the Advisory Group are all First Nations Australians who are experts and advocates in digital inclusion and the media and broadcasting sector. They are supported by a Digital Inclusion Expert Panel. The Advisory Group is co-chaired by Ms Dot West OAM and Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker.
Digital inclusion is a deeply multifaceted issue, with access, affordability and digital ability all playing a role in the extent to which First Nations people and communities are digitally included. These interact in varying and complex ways, highlighting the importance of a ‘place-based’ approach and establishing strong partnerships with local communities. This also involves understanding the individual needs of First Nations communities in all aspects of a program’s design and implementation, considering their unique wants, aspirations and environment.
In December 2024, the Advisory Group launched the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap 2026 and beyond. The roadmap builds on their initial report, released in October 2023, and aims to provide strategic direction for First Nations digital inclusion policy, not just for the immediate future, but for years to come. It provides 30 recommendations aimed at addressing the key barriers to digital inclusion and supporting a strong First Nations media and broadcasting sector. These recommendations reflect ongoing engagement with First Nations people, communities and organisations, including consultation with the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group, and other stakeholders across Northern Australia.
Biography
Ms West is a Noongar woman from southwest WA. She has worked in the media industry since 1987. She's served on numerous boards, including the SBS Board from 2012 to 2022, as the Inaugural Vice Chairperson of NITV, Screenwest, and as Chair of FNMA.
