The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) is calling for substantial improvements in rural connectivity, highlighting the persistent issues faced by those living in regional Australia in a submission to the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC).
As the RTIRC conducts its Regional Telecommunications Review, NFF President David Jochinke emphasised the critical need for accessible, reliable, and affordable connectivity services to support the livelihoods and wellbeing of rural communities.
"We've made headway, but we've got a long way to go to bridge the gap between the service you get in your local town versus the service you get in Melbourne.
"The things we're asking for are no longer 'nice to haves'; they're essential for healthcare, education, and supporting industry productivity."
The NFF's submission to the RTIRC highlights the stories of three farmers - Daniel Keam Wendy Hick and John Shaw - to illustrate the complex and compounding connectivity challenges facing Australian farmers and their families.
Daniel Keam, a farmer from Warracknabeal, Victoria, struggles with inconsistent connectivity despite the proximity of a phone tower. Mr Keam relies heavily on internet connectivity for GPS-managed farm machinery, his wife's remote business, his children's education, and telehealth services for their middle child.
"We can drive to one corner of a paddock and have reception, then move to the other side and it's gone. All I've done is drive a kilometre across from one corner to the other. You can still see the tower, but the reception varies like someone's turning a dial up and down," Mr Keam said.
Wendy Hick, from Thorntonia Station in rural Queensland, vividly recalls a severe flood where connectivity was a lifeline for warning neighbours downstream.
"We were dealing with a severe flood, and communication was crucial to warn our neighbours downstream. It's very worrying when you can't get any messages out to let people know what's going on or even to let them know you're okay," Ms Hick said.
"Staying connected is staying safe. And that's something we can't afford to compromise on."
John Shaw, a farmer from Gunning, New South Wales, has experienced frustration with connectivity issues but found solutions through the support of the Regional Tech Hub. This support has helped him overcome connectivity barriers, improving his farm's efficiency and productivity. At 72, Mr Shaw acknowledges that staying up to date with technology can be challenging, especially for those who are not digital natives.
"You talk to a lot of people and they just get frustrated with it all, thinking that it's all too hard. And it probably is for some because we're not young anymore, and if you don't keep up with it then you get left behind," Mr Shaw said.
Mr Jochinke stressed the urgency of addressing these accessibility challenges as more services migrate online.
"These are real challenges faced by real people, and they underline the urgent need for improved connectivity in regional areas."
The NFF's submission advocates for several priorities to enhance connectivity outcomes for Australian farmers and regional communities, including ongoing investment in infrastructure, regulatory support, connectivity literacy and data privacy and security.
"Improving connectivity is not just about better internet speeds; it's about unlocking the full potential of our agricultural sector and ensuring that regional Australians have the same opportunities as those in metropolitan areas," said Mr Jochinke.
Read the full submission here.
Read the stories of Daniel Keam, Wendy Hick and John Shaw.
