ACCAN welcomes today’s joint announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland that 15,000 families are now receiving free internet connections via the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI).

ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said that SSBI was a lifeline for families struggling to keep up.

“The SSBI provides eligible families with a year of free internet, available across all NBN technologies. Many recipients are in regional or remote areas, and/or face vulnerable circumstances,” Ms Bennett said.

“The Initiative aims to narrow the digital divide and secure opportunities that the internet provides which families would otherwise not be able to afford.”

“ACCAN is a strong supporter of the SSBI, which helps Australian families afford NBN services. The initiative ultimately bolsters the health, wellbeing and safety of participating families by easing their access to what is an essential service.”

“We encourage Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Rowland to consider how to lower barriers to SSBI take-up. For example, efforts to increase consumer awareness of the Initiative and expanding the criteria to include low-income families who are already connected to the NBN but are experiencing financial difficulty. “

“We commend the government for the success of the SSBI and look forward to seeing the remaining 15,000 places filled by some of the many families who we know are facing increasing cost of living pressures.”

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