By Adam Clark, A/g Director, Advanced Air Mobility and Emerging Technology Programs, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
In 2023-24, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ Drone Policy team led the First Nations Drone Policy Design Project. The project was funded under the APS Capability Reinvestment Fund and sought to uplift cultural competency in technology policy design, focusing on drone policy.
The project engaged with First Nations peoples, communities and organisations to explore the role drones can play in Closing the Gap targets, and determine appropriate drone policies to support this.
The project established the First Nations Drone Policy Directions Group, made up of First Nations drone experts and rangers. They were joined by representatives from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and the department’s First Nations Partnerships and Drone Policy teams in a series of exploratory meetings, and a two-day policy workshop held on Country at Yarrabah and Gimuy (Cairns).
The project also supported three First Nations-led case studies with the Rangers of the Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate, Mimal and Wardekken Rangers from West Arnhem Land, and Wiru Drones’ Minyerra Borrinyu training project on Yorta Yorta Country.
Through these activities, participants considered the practical dimensions of policy and regulatory themes. The project identified eight key recommendations including culturally responsive training and regulation, support for self-determined initiatives, recognition of Sky Country, and cultural authority on emerging technologies.
These outcomes were shared at the Dangkal Gwo’yal-wa First Nations Land and Water Management Forum on Larrakia Country in August 2024. The department will continue working with stakeholders to determine next steps and build upon policy design outcomes. For more information on the project, please visit: www.drones.gov.au/first-nations-drone-policy-project.