Australian Connectivity Showcase

Event Details

Agenda

Canberra, 31 July 2024

All times in AEST

9:20 am

Welcome from Public Sector Network and Acknowledgement of Country

9:25 am

Welcome from the Chair

9:30 am

A Video Note from the Minister

The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications
The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications

9:35 am

Government Keynote

Government Keynote: Safeguarding Digital Ecosystems | A Glimpse into Cybersecurity in Advancing Connectivity

Brendan Dowling, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • Exploring the evolving threat landscape, including emerging risks and vulnerabilities that threaten connectivity infrastructure and services 
  • Discussing encryption, access controls, network segmentation, and other cybersecurity measures to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber attacks 
  • Fostering an awareness of cybersecurity training within communications departments for quicker response to potential attacks  
Brendan Dowling, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

9:55 am

Panel Discussion

Panel: Empowering Connectivity: Innovations and Collaborations in the Public Sector

Megan Aitken, Director, NSW Regional Digital Connectivity Program
Matthew Dummett, Director, Telecommunications Infrastructure, Department of Government Services (VIC)
Zoe Malone, Senior Director Telecommunications, Department of Corporate and Digital, Northern Territory Government
Shane Fitzsimmons, Board Chair, NSW Connectivity Innovation Network; Former Chair and Member, NSW Telco Authority, Commissioner, Resilience NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service Moderated by:
  • Bridging the digital divide in connectivity between rural, regional, remote areas and metropolitan cities
  • Showcasing successful initiatives in play and discussing learnings – how can other regional areas follow suit?
  • Discussing opportunities for leveraging innovation to create more resilient, efficient, and citizen-centric connectivity solutions
Megan Aitken, Director, NSW Regional Digital Connectivity Program
Matthew Dummett, Director, Telecommunications Infrastructure, Department of Government Services (VIC)
Zoe Malone, Senior Director Telecommunications, Department of Corporate and Digital, Northern Territory Government
Shane Fitzsimmons, Board Chair, NSW Connectivity Innovation Network; Former Chair and Member, NSW Telco Authority, Commissioner, Resilience NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service Moderated by:

10:25 am

Fireside Chat

Fireside Chat: Advancing Communications Connectivity Throughout Australia

Samuel Grunhard, First Assistant Secretary, Communications, Services and Consumer Division, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Alannah MacTiernan, Chair, Regional Telecommunications Review 2024
  • Sharing key insights from the Regional Telecommunications Review
  • Discussing the fundamental priorities in the pipeline for improved connectivity
  • Highlighting collaboration opportunities cross-government, public sector, and private sector
Samuel Grunhard, First Assistant Secretary, Communications, Services and Consumer Division, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Alannah MacTiernan, Chair, Regional Telecommunications Review 2024

10:45 am

Government Keynote: Delving into the Infrastructure Capability and Implementation

Jason Ashurst, Assistant Secretary, Digital Inclusion and Deployment Branch at Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
  • The current status of infrastructure and providing a vision for the future – the missing link for better connectivity
  • Laying a roadmap of planning and deployment strategies
  • Taking advantage of emerging technologies for infrastructure optimisation
Jason Ashurst, Assistant Secretary, Digital Inclusion and Deployment Branch at Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications

11:00 am

Government Keynote: A Roadmap to First Nations Digital Inclusion’

Associate Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker, Co-Chair, First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group
  • What is Target 17 of Closing the Gap?
  • Why is digital inclusion important and how is it measured?
  • What are the next steps for the Advisory Group?
Associate Professor Lyndon Ormond-Parker, Co-Chair, First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group

11:15 am

International Keynote: Delving into the Asia Pacific Collaboration | A Perspective from ITU

Atsuko Okuda, Regional Director, ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
  • Discussing the landscape of connectivity in the ASEAN region – what are the learnings they are implementing from Australia?
  • Providing insights into a ‘whole-of-government’ approach when it comes to connectivity
  • Highlighting a Smart Village/Smart Island approach – incorporating a ‘no-one gets left behind’ approach
Atsuko Okuda, Regional Director, ITU Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

11:35 am

Closing Remarks from the Chair

11:40 am

End of Session

Event Details