Report Launch | Digital Equity and Education: A NSW Case Study

Digital Equity - ensuring equitable access, affordability, and the ability to safely use devices and the internet - is critical in the context of modern education, where unequal access to digital tools and resources can significantly impact students learning outcomes, engagement and future opportunities.

The Whitlam Institute has partnered with Western Sydney University’s Centre for Western Sydney and Wester’ly on the Digital Equity & Education report, surveying 445 NSW school staff between April and June 2023.

The research found concerning levels of digital exclusion among certain groups, with 72% of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and 81% of asylum seeker and refugee students being perceived to face digital inclusion challenges. It also revealed a significant disparity in digital equity based on location: only 25% of teachers in Western Sydney believe that the devices and internet provided to students for at-home use are adequate, compared to 76% in the rest of Sydney. Many students across NSW are at risk of falling behind in school — and beyond — without immediate action to ensure equal access to devices, internet, and essential digital skills for all learners.

It is imperative that every student, regardless of background or location, has the necessary tools to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Join us for the launch of this important report and hear from the research team as they discuss the necessary steps towards boosting digital inclusion to meet the demands of modern education and building a more equitable future.

EVENT DETAILS

DATE: Wednesday, 4 December 2024

TIME: 6:30pm - 8:30pm

• 6.00pm Registration opens
• 6.30pm Event starts
• 7.45pm Refreshments
• 8.30pm Event ends

LOCATION: Peter Shergold Building
Level 9, 1 Parramatta Square, Parramatta.
Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus.

LAUNCHED BY: Jan Fran

INTRODUCTION BY: Distinguished Professor George Williams AO
Vice-Chancellor and President, Western Sydney University

INSIGHTS FROM THE REPORT: Professor Azadeh Dastyari
Director, Research and Policy, Whitlam Institute

ADDRESS BY: The Hon. Jihad Dib MP 
Member for Bankstown | Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government | Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Mediator: Dr Rhonda Itaoui |Director Centre for Western Sydney
Panel: Charishma Kaliyanda, MP | Member for Liverpool
Associate Professor Tanya Notley | Western Sydney University
Jane Stratton | CEO Think + DO Tank Foundation

THE HON. JIHAD DIB MP
The Hon. Jihad Dib MP is Member for Bankstown and Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Emergency Services and Youth Justice.  

Jihad is a former board member of the Australia Day Council of NSW, the NSW Police Commissioner’s Advisory Panel, and the SBS Community Advisory Committee.  

Prior to being elected to the NSW Parliament in 2015, Jihad was Principal of Punchbowl Boys’ High. Over a period of 9 years, he transformed the school by developing strong relationships with the community, local organisations and government agencies. 

JAN FRAN
Jan Fran is a Walkley-award-winning journalist, TV Presenter and social commentator. She is the co-host of ABC's Question Everything and is well known for her work on Channel 10's The Project and SBS's The Feed. 

She has shot and produced documentaries from all over the world. She’s lived in Lebanon, France, Bangladesh and Uganda and speaks three languages. 

Jan Fran is an ambassador for Plan International Australia where she advocates for women and girls and her strong reporting on women’s issues earned her a Walkley nomination for Women’s Leadership in Media. She is also an Ambassador for the national What Matters? Writing Competition, helping to raise the voices of Australia's young people on the issues that are important to them.

CHARISHMA KALIYANDA MP

Charishma Kaliyanda MP was raised, educated and has worked in south-west Sydney for most of her career. In 2023, she was elected as the first Indian-born Australian Member of Parliament for Liverpool. 

She is the Parliamentary Secretary for Customer Service, Digital Government, Emergency Services and Youth Justice. In this capacity, Charishma supports Minister Jihad Dib to drive better service provision across these portfolios to deliver for every resident of NSW. 

Before entering NSW Parliament, Charishma was a registered occupational therapist working in the youth mental health sector and was formerly a Councillor at Liverpool City Council from 2016-2024.

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR GEORGE WILLIAMS AO

Distinguished Professor George Williams AO is the fifth Vice-Chancellor and President at Western Sydney University. He has previously served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Law and Anthony Mason Professor at the University of New South Wales.  

As one of Australia’s pre-eminent experts in constitutional law, Professor Williams has made significant contributions both nationally and internationally in the areas of human rights, federalism, Indigenous justice, electoral law and national security. Professor Williams’ passion for providing opportunities for students and a quality education is evidenced through many years of teaching constitutional law and having authored the leading student text in this field.  

Outside of academia Professor Williams practised as a barrister for over 25 years, advising government, business and community organisations and appearing in the High Court of Australia on matters relating to freedom of speech, freedom from racial discrimination, Indigenous rights and the rule of law.  

THE RESEARCH TEAM

Professor Azadeh Dastyari is the Director, Research and Policy at the Whitlam Institute and a Professor of Human Rights Law in the School of Law at Western Sydney University. Her research examines the protection of the right to protest, digital inclusion and minority rights, including the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, refugees and communities made vulnerable by law and policy. Her expertise in law and policy has been sought by several Australian parliamentary committees, Members of the European Parliament and the United Nations.

Dr Rhonda Itaoui is a social researcher with expertise in human geography and the geographies of diversity and multiculturalism. As Director of the Centre for Western Sydney, she is committed to amplifying community voices and collaboratively working with various stakeholders, including researchers, industry professionals and government, to develop policies that meet community needs and foster the success of the Western Sydney region.

Dr Gina Hawkes is an anthropologist and qualitative methodology professional bringing expertise in social and cultural analysis, research design, oral histories and research ethics to diverse projects. Her PhD critiqued masculine stereotypes of Pacific Islander men in sports, and she has published in international books and journals on a diverse range of topics, including sport, play, leisure, critical methodologies and natural resource management. She has lectured in Environmental Humanities and Human Geography and is passionate about social justice through sport, leisure, art and play.

Associate Professor Tanya Notley is Associate Professor in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University and a member of the Institute for Culture and Society. She collaborates with cultural institutions, education providers and social justice organisations in the areas of media literacy and digital inclusion. She is regularly invited to provide expert advice in these areas to media organisations, governments, UN agencies and industry. Tanya co-founded the Australian Media Literacy Alliance and served as co-chair from 2020–2023. She currently leads the Advancing Media Literacy in Australia research program at Western Sydney University


PROJECT PARTNERS

The Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University is a non-partisan dynamic research and policy think tank, prime ministerial archive and public museum. Our mission is to elevate and draw inspiration from the life and work of the Honourable Gough Whitlam AC QC, Australia’s 21st Prime Minister. We explore the contemporary relevance of his ideas and pursue the causes he and the Whitlam Government championed. Through robust scholarly studies and research-informed policy development, the Whitlam Institute tackles the challenges of modern Australia, paving the way, in the words of Gough Whitlam, for ‘a more equal, open, tolerant and independent Australia’.

The Centre for Western Sydney combines world-class research expertise with frank and fearless advocacy on issues of importance to Western Sydney. The Centre’s work is guided by its ambition for a thriving Western Sydney that is celebrated for its strengths and contributions regionally, nationally and internationally. Delivered through a strong politics of listening, the Centre aims to drive informed dialogue, action and impact for and with the region.

Wester’ly is a grassroots network of community organisations in Western Sydney with a steadfast commitment to combatting and spotlighting the crucial need for digital inclusion. This
initiative goes beyond simple connectivity, encompassing access, affordability and the ability to use technology effectively. By knitting together a diverse coalition of community organisations,
Wester’ly is dedicated to directly challenging the digital divide, ensuring that all residents of this vibrant area have not only equitable access to digital resources and technology but also the
means and knowledge to utilise these tools effectively. Through concerted collaboration and advocacy, Wester’ly is determined to make a real difference in the lives of those it supports, underlining the pivotal role of digital inclusion in driving societal progress and personal development.

Explore the Whitlam Institute's current work: whitlam.org