Commonwealth of Australia Minister for Social Security


All Australian to Have Access to Information Technology
Peter Baldwin, Minister for Social Security

6 April 1995 (MPS 14/95)
As part of the Prime Minister's announcement on the development of a National Strategy on information and communications, the National Community Information Network (CIN) which will link a range of community facilities around Australia, including libraries and community organisations, into a public computer network. I will take a submission to Cabinet in August concerning its implementation"; said Mr Baldwin.

"The network will provide access to information and communication facilities such as e-mail and bulletin boards to people who do not have a computer".

"As a first step in this process the Government is establishing the Community Information Network (CIN) which will soon be operating in selected sites, to provide public access to these emerging new technologies".

"The first of the CIN sites to come on-line will be at Nundah and Chermside in Brisbane, at Gympie in Queensland and at Elizabeth and Salisbury in Adelaide. The entire state of Tasmania will also be linked by the CIN.

"The CIN will provide free access to government and community information, communication facilities and services through 300 Local Access Points (LAPS) situated in libraries and community organisations.

"When the CIN starts in June this year it will be the largest public access network in Australia.

"I will be talking in more detail about the system when I officially launch the Community Information Network at the selected sites.

"The major value of electronic networks like the CIN is their capacity to accelerate the pace at which individuals, communities and enterprises can exchange ideas and create linkages - linkages which are crucial to innovation and prosperity.

"As information increasingly becomes a social and economic necessity, we must ensure that Australians have access to an information 'safety net' so that no one is left behind.

"At a later date I will be bringing forward a submission on issues of access to information and communication services, along with my colleague, the Minister for Communications and the Arts.

"The Prime Minister has also announced that an Ad Hoc Committee of Cabinet will be formed to consider the development of a national strategy on information and communications networks and services. The Government's commitment to social justice is demonstrated by my membership of this committee".


Media Enquiries:

Lynne Adams, Minister's Office
Telephone: (06) 2777560


Canberra, 6 April 1995