Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Regional Services) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Smith, for being such a longstanding advocate for increased digital connectivity right across regional Australia and particularly for your home state of WA. It's not just about our local communities being able to access emergency services in times of need, or police services. If there are car crashes along our many highways and byways, they need to be able access those crucial emergency services, such as ambulances, on the side of a road. We know that our bushfire season is incredibly concerning; it is coming upon us with the summer. We are making sure that regional communities can access their fire services when they need them, and that our CFA volunteers can actually get those special texts. We have set up a whole lot of systems, but without digital connectivity it doesn't work.

We also want to make sure that our small businesses can access crucial banking services. We know that out in regional WA there are over 35,000 small businesses operating outside of Perth. Each and every one of those needs increased digital connectivity so they can be more productive and efficient, so they can employ more people, and so they can sell more. It is not just about making sure small businesses in WA are more connected; it is also making sure that those of us who live out in the regions can study online. We know that we don't access higher education at the same rate as other populations. Having access to digital connectivity is crucially important if we are to increase our higher education attainment.

Importantly, there is telehealth. That's an increasing technological advancement that's allowing high-quality healthcare service provision for those of us who live outside in the regions. On the weekend, I was incredibly proud to announce that the 600th tower has actually been opened. It's at Diamond Tree, outside of Manjimup, in Senator Smith's home state of WA.