Rural, regional and remote Medicare access and funding

ACCAN recently submitted to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on Rural, regional and remote Medicare access and funding. We argue that reforming the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) to formally recognise telecommunications as an essential service is fundamental to ensuring equitable Medicare-funded telehealth access for regional, rural, and remote Australians.  

The submission recommends the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee:  

1. Recommend reforms to the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth) to formally recognise telecommunications as an essential service. 

2. Recommend amendments to the Telecommunications (Consumer Protections and Service Standards) Act 1999 (Cth) to introduce minimum mobile service standards. 

3. Support targeted investment in telecommunications infrastructure, affordable connectivity, and network resilience in regional, rural, and remote communities to ensure telehealth is reliable and accessible. 

4. Support the promotion of digital inclusion initiatives and targeted support for device access to help vulnerable populations access telehealth confidently and safely.