Joint Media release

The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP
Minister for Indigenous Australians

Senator the Hon. Jane Hume
Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services, and the Digital Economy
Minister for Women’s Economic Security
Senator for Victoria

The Morrison Government is providing $55,000 to Indigenous radio station, 3KND “Kool N Deadly”, to support the development and broadcast of reliable COVID-19 information through to June 2022.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the funding will help dispel myths and encourage greater vaccination uptake.

“3KND is a stalwart in the Victorian Indigenous community, and with their audience reach, we can combat vaccination hesitancy and misinformation in a culturally safe way,” Minister Wyatt said.

“This funding will allow them to develop new stories, with Indigenous medical practitioners and key state government representatives, to present evidenced-based messaging. The emergence of the Omicron variant has reinforced the need for people to get vaccinated, and boosted, to protect themselves and their family and community.

“It will be jargon free, easy to understand and go towards countering false stories circulation on social media and within communities.

“Community Elders and trusted voices will be invited to promote good news stories and share their experiences and reasons for getting vaccinated.

“With this funding boost, there will now be twice-weekly one-hour COVID segments, a monthly talk back show with an expert panel and a minimum of six daily community service announcements.

Senator the Hon Jane Hume said this funding will assist in providing accurate and timely information, to help protect lives in some of our most vulnerable communities.

“It will also allow 3KND to follow up with more outside broadcasts at community events, focusing on areas that have experienced higher numbers of COVID-19 cases, and expand their messaging on social media,” Senator Hume said.

3KND can be heard on 1503 AM and across 3KND’s digital services.