Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to make a few brief remarks about the Corporations Amendment (Meetings and Documents) Bill 2021. Whilst I support choice in the ability to hold these AGMs in a hybrid model, to have that virtual participation and that in-person participation—it was something which we saw happen during the pandemic and I note that those arrangements have been extended through this bill—when we are looking at this legislation I think it is worth reflecting on the impact the pandemic has had on people who struggle to participate virtually for reasons which are very much beyond their control. We know things like the regional divide and accessibility to high quality broadband affect people's ability to participate in person. We know that, during the pandemic, for these individuals, participation not just in AGMs but in all sorts of the key economic opportunities in life have been impacted.

Notably, the limitations of our National Broadband Network made it very difficult for people in regional areas to participate in education when education went online and very difficult to participate in virtual health when that went online during the pandemic. The pandemic has raised many questions about digital access—the need for all Australians to have access to high quality, reliable, fast broadband internet, which they do not have at the moment. In many parts of regional South Australia, many South Australians are struggling with access to internet. It is causing barriers not just socially but economically for these individuals in regional South Australia. When we're looking at issues like those contained in this bill, I would urge the Senate to consider the other ways in which we can prioritise the needs of regional Australians or those who have difficulty accessing the tools they need to participate online—whether it be in health, education or in instances like this.

There have been a lot of critical and urgent issues during the pandemic for government to deal with, but I think one of the key lessons it has shown us is that it's incredibly important for people to have access to technology and to have access to the internet, and, even when they have access, to be able to use it and to know how to use it. Many elderly Australians may be able to access broadband internet but may not be comfortable using smartphones or the other pieces of technology required to unlock its potential and its benefits. I just wanted to make that point.

I welcome the opportunity to be able to review these arrangements. I appreciate why choice would be important. But I just draw the Senate's attention to those issues, particularly for Australians in regional areas.