First Nations Drone Policy Project

The First Nations Drone Policy Design Project was funded in 2023-24 under the APS Capability Reinvestment Fund to uplift cultural competency in technology policy design, focussing on drone policy.

Throughout 2023-24, the project has explored how drone policy design can improved to help support Closing the Gap targets and government transformation in line with the priority reforms (see below for more information).

Since completion of the outcomes report (see below), the department will be working with stakeholders to determine next steps, building upon policy design outcomes so far.

Details on different project activities and outcomes are provided below: 

Project outcomes report (see here): The project has provided valuable policy design outcomes. These were develop at the Gimuy-Yarrabah workshop in June 2024, where participants provided a number of recommendations for drone policy consideration.

Policy conversations summary report (see here): Three online conversations held in April 2024 provided the opportunity for discovery and for participants to together explore key themes around training and data.

Focal area prompts (see here) designed to support participants in policy development activities, exploring the themes of Working Together, Cultural Responsiveness, Sovereignty and Technology, and Values.

With Respect: Considerations for forming successful partnerships (see here): guidance on establishing better partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, produced by project design and facilitation partners Relative Creative.

Directions Group Terms of Reference (see here): The department established a First Nations Drone Policy Directions Group running until 30 June 2024, consisting of First Nations individuals and organisations who shared their experience and expertise to help shape and design drone policy in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and support Closing the Gap.

First Nations-led case studies contributed significantly to the policy design process, providing real-time, practice-based uplift and learnings led by First Nations organisations addressing identified needs and building on existing expertise. The project enabled three in-depth case studes:

1. Minyerra Borrinyu (Buzz Wing) drone training program on Yorta Yorta Woka (Sheparton). Wiru Drones Solutions provided bespoke culturally appropriate training and mentoring for five local Indigenous people to attain Remote Pilote Licences, enabling opportunities for employment and/or in looking after Country. 
2. Mimal-Warddeken Drone Uplift Program. Building on the Digital Women Ranger program, drone uplift allowed greater capability and skills extension across Mimal and Warddeken Land Management areas. 
3. Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate (GMYPPBC) Drone Uplift Project. Training and access to new technologies allowed GMYPPBC rangers to undertake more complex and efficient drone operations in looking after Country.

An underlying aim of this work is for policy to better support Closing the Gap targets, and to better include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in policy design. Relevant Closing the Gap targets include: 

• Health outcomes (Target 1) including within regional and remote communities. For example, drones can deliver critical medical supplies between health centres and remote Indigenous communities. 
• Maintenance of a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship with land and waters (Target 15). For example, drones can facilitate caring for Country and maintaining connections with land, water and the sky. 
• Economic participation (Target 8) and Access to information and participation in informed decision making (Target 17). For example, drones can streamline land surveillance and management, assist data collection, increase access to information and enable informed-decision making.

The approach to policy design taken in implementing the project reflects aspirations of government transformation in line with Closing the Gap Priority Reform 3: Transforming Government Organisations. 

For more information, get in touch at drones@infrastructure.gov.au.