Portfolio — 16 June 2026

Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport Anika Wells has opened applications for the $50 million Local Digital Priority Projects grant program, a joint initiative with the Crisafulli Government targeting digital infrastructure gaps across South East Queensland ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games [TA-260616-infras-c8bf32904e72]. The Albanese Government contributes $40 million of the total, with Queensland providing the remaining $10 million.

Eligible applicants — local governments, industry bodies, public and private entities, and not-for-profits — can seek funding for public Wi-Fi networks, digital infrastructure upgrades, and digital skills and training programs, with applications closing on 24 August [TA-260616-infras-c8bf32904e72].

The program extends a discernible sequencing pattern in the Communications portfolio over recent weeks. The prior week's digital duty-of-care framework announcement and AI nudify restrictions addressed harms in the online environment; today's grant program pivots to the access and capability end of the digital policy spectrum, targeting communities where connectivity and digital skills remain underdeveloped.

The Games deadline provides a concrete infrastructure milestone framing the investment's urgency. The co-investment structure with the Queensland state government also signals a cooperative federalism approach to digital infrastructure delivery that goes beyond Commonwealth-only programming.