26 July 2026
During its year of growth, certainty and security, the Finocchiaro CLP Government has launched its Digital Futures Strategy 2026-2028 here.
This strategy, the first-ever to include Artificial Intelligence, focuses on building digital skills to grow the economy and improve connectivity across the NT.
The Territory’s ICT sector continues to grow, contributing $425 million to the economy and employing more than 5,700 workers in 2022-23, according to the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Digital Pulse 2025 report.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is ensuring Territorians have the skills, connectivity and support needed to thrive in a modern digital economy, today launching the Digital Futures Strategy 2026-2028.
Minister for Corporate and Digital Development Joshua Burgoyne said the strategy was about making the Territory a better place to live, work, and do business.
“This strategy benefits all Territorians. Investing in digital skills, stronger connectivity and modern services will help position the Territory for long-term economic growth, create local opportunities, and strengthen communities across the NT,” he said.
“Our Government is embracing the new opportunities technology is creating across the Territory to help businesses grow, improve access to local jobs and services, and improve connectivity for remote communities.”
The Digital Futures Strategy 2026-2028 has 4 key priorities:
Increasing digital skills and supporting local digital industry by building capability across the Territory to help local businesses innovate and grow.Innovating with technology and growing connectivity by leveraging tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Low Earth Orbit satellites to better connect remote areas.Utilising and securing Territory data to improve community outcomes while maintaining a strong and responsive cyber security posture.Transforming and improving online government services to make them simpler and faster to use, including the rollout of digital driver licences.
ICT Industry Association of the NT Chair Karina Bourne welcomed the launch of the strategy and working collaboratively with government to enhance digital skills across the Territory.
“By supporting local businesses to better protect their digital assets and partnering with government to transform and improve public services, we can help build a secure, capable and future‑focused digital ecosystem for the Northern Territory,” she said.
Australian Computer Society NT Chair Damien Charles supported the strategy’s focus on building digital/ICT skills and cybersecurity capability across government and wider industry.
“The NT Government’s new Digital Futures Strategy has these items as core focuses and shows the importance of how Digital and ICT can contribute directly to the lifestyle and economy of the Territory,” he said.
This strategy builds on connectivity upgrades already rolled out under the CLP Government:
$5.8 million co-investment with the CLP Government and Telstra has enabled mobile phone coverage here in 13 remote NT communities and homelands for the first time.$7.5 million ‘ Connecting Kakadu’ project here boosting coverage in Kakadu National Park, jointly funded by the NT Government, Federal Government (Parks Australia) and Telstra.4G Telstra towers installed in key locations by Telstra, including at the Alice Springs Golf Club here through the leadership of Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne.Investing $4 million a year into the ‘Schools Connectivity Uplift Program’ to deliver faster internet to schools here.
