TV interview
Weekend Sunrise, Channel 7
7:33AM
09 February 2019
E & OE
SALLY BOWREY:
The Federal Government is this morning announcing a $10 million cyber safety plan to keep children safe online. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield joins us live this morning on Sunrise. Good morning to you, Minister.
FIFIELD:
Good morning, Sally.
SALLY BOWREY:
Now, how will this combat a growing problem for children and, of course, their parents?
FIFIELD:
The highest obligation of the community and any government is to keep our kids safe. And today we’re announcing two new elements to our full court press to keep our children safe online. Firstly, as you mentioned, a $10 million grants program for community and not-for-profit organisations who’ve got good ideas how to better keep our kids safe online.
But something very concrete that we’re also very keen to move ahead with is the idea of a digital license for primary school kids, like the old pen license. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, who I know is a regular on Sunrise, put to me and the PM a couple of weeks ago this idea of a digital license. So we’re going to have an urgent examination of the products that are out there to make sure that we can roll this out in classrooms. So that kids, before they pick up those devices in the classroom, have the skills and the awareness that they need.
SALLY BOWREY:
Okay. How quickly will we see this happen? Is this something that will occur this year?
FIFIELD:
We will have in this year’s Budget in April funding for this $10 million grants program. And we’re going to move very quickly with the examination of the concept of a digital license. So money is budgeted. It is there. We’re very keen for this to happen.
SALLY BOWREY:
Okay. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, thanks for your time this morning.
FIFIELD:
Good to be with you.