Date: 11-12 September 2019
Venue: Aerial UTS Function Centre, Sydney

 

ACCAN is constantly striving for improved, consumer-friendly, telecommunications services for all Australians. This year we celebrate a decade of bringing the consumer voice to the telco table.

ACCANect 2019 will provide an opportunity for consumers to reflect on the last 10 years of change in telecommunications and to hear about the challenges and triumphs that consumers have faced. We will also look to the future and hear from our guest speakers about the current trends and increase in demand for telecommunications services towards 2030.

 

Accanect2019 was sponsored by

Principal sponsor

Telstra logo: Thank you Telstra for being Principal sponsor at ACCANect 2019

Premium sponsor

Telstra logo: Thank you nbn co for being a premium sponsor at ACCANect 2019

Associate sponsors

Thanks to our associate sponsor Google

Thanks to our associate sponsor Optus

Thanks to our associate sponsor Vodafone

Captioning sponsor

Thanks to our captioning sponsor the ACMA

Tea Break sponsors

Aussie Broadband our ACCANect 2019 Tea Break sponsor

Maddocks logo: Thank you Maddocks for being a Tea Break sponsor at ACCANect 2019


Download
:  docxConference Program55.71 KB
Download:   pdfConference Program5.02 MB

All videos have been uploaded in the form provided to ACCAN. Where a video is not captioned unedited transcripts as captured on the day are provided. All presentations have been converted to pdf from their original source in order to minimise download size; in all other aspects presentations remain as they were provided to ACCAN. ACCAN endeavours to supply all materials in an accessible format and will update this page with more accessible versions as they become available.

Day 1, Wednesday 11th September

Session 1: 8:55 – 9:25am

Welcome

MC: Julie McCrossin

Welcome to country: Cultural Representative, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council

Welcome address: Deirdre O’Donnell, Chairperson, ACCAN Board

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 120.32 KB

Session 2: 9:25 – 9:30am

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP (video)

Newly appointed Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety, and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP provides a welcome for the conference participants via a video message.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 2 14.64 KB

Session 3: 9:30 – 9:50am

Keynote presentation – Matthew Lobb, General Manager, Fixed Capability - Vodafone

This session will outline some of the key issues from a Vodafone perspective for consumers and its customers specifically going forward.

9:50 – 10:00am

Q&A

Download:  docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 3 24.47 KB

Downlood:  pdfDay 1 - Session 3 Matthew Lobb Presentation2.4 MB

Session 4: 10:00 – 10:30am

Keynote - Consumer advocacy: Why we need it and why it works!

Presenter: Helen Wellings

Helen Wellings is a well-known ‘crusader for consumer rights’. Over her career, she has appeared on a range of national news, current affairs and radio programs. Helen also hosted and reported on the ABC’s consumer watchdog program, The Investigators, and is currently the National Consumer Affairs Editor for the Seven Network’s daily news.

Helen will reflect on her extensive experience reporting on consumer issues and the important role that consumer advocates play in creating better outcomes for consumers.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 430.35 KB

 

10:30 - 11:00am: Morning tea

 

Session 5: 11:00 – 11:20 am

Keynote presentation – Allen Lew, CEO, Optus

This session will outline some of the key issues from an Optus perspective for consumers and its customers specifically going forward.

11:20 – 11:30am

Q&A

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 524.87 KB

Session 6: 11:30 – 12:20pm

Complaint resolution: what’s working and what’s next?

Interviewer:
Julie McCrossin

Panellists:
Judi Jones, Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
Rose Webb, Commissioner for NSW Fair Trading

In this session, MC Julie McCrossin will lead an engaging conversation with representatives from some of Australia’s top complaint resolution bodies. Find out what issues are the most widespread and the proactive steps that these bodies are putting in place to ensure that complaints are heard and handled in a timely manner.

Download:  docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 635.6 KB

Download:  pdfDay 1 - Session 6: Rose Webb Presentation 852.12 KB

Session 7: 12:20 – 12:50pm

Reflecting on telecommunications regulation

Facilitator:
Teresa Corbin

Panellists:
Nerida O’Loughlin PSM – Chair, Australian Communications and Media Authority
Delia Rickard – Deputy Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Regulation provides important safeguards for Australians. Join ACCAN CEO Teresa Corbin, ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin and ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard as they dive into how Australia’s telecommunications regulation framework protects telco consumers as well as the emerging challenges to the current framework.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 725.55 KB

Session 8: 12:50 – 1:00pm

Standards Australia and telecommunications

Presenter: Neidra Motha, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Standards Australia

In this session the important role that standards play in providing consumer safeguards will be outlined, as well as the valuable contribution that consumer representation makes to telecommunications issues and Standards Australia.

Download:  docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 816.61 KB

Download:  pdfDay 1 - Session 8 Neidra Motha Presentation1.78 MB

1:00-2:00pm: Lunch

 

Session 9: 2:00 – 2:10pm

Digital Inclusion Index - Update

Interviewer: Julie McCrossin

Interviewee: Professor Julian Thomas, Director, RMIT Social Change Enabling Capability Platform

Digital inclusion is a complex and multi-dimensional issue involving technological, social and economic factors. The Digital Inclusion Index is an annual report which looks at how Australia is progressing in better digital inclusion. RMIT’s Julian Thomas will share insights from the latest release of this important research.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 920.09 KB

Session 10: 2:10 – 3:10pm 

Affordable Broadband for All – No Australian Left Offline – The real cost

Julie McCrossin will interview a panel of experts who understand the impact affordability of services can have on connectivity. Panellists will share perspectives from experiences of consumers who are finding the cost of accessing broadband too high and what happens when someone just can’t afford to stay connected.

Interviewer: Julie McCrossin

Interviewees:
Julie Robinson, Project Co-ordinator, The Smith Family
Nan Bosler AM, President, Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association
Joel Pringle, Advocacy Campaigner – Older Australians, The Benevolent Society
Lynda Edwards, Coordinator Financial Capability, Financial Counselling Australia
Sue Salthouse, Director, Didactic Enterprises

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 1035.14 KB

Session 11: 3:10 – 3:25pm

Report back from indigenous focus day

Presenter: Christine Ross, Managing Director, Christine Ross Consultancy representing First Nations Media

In late June, Indigenous consumers came together in Alice Springs for the Frist Nations Media and ACCAN communications Indigenous Focus Day. This event is a forum for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations to share experiences and ideas about the potential of internet connectivity and digital tools for themselves, their families and communities. Christine Ross, facilitator at this important event shares insights and areas for future action highlighted on the day.

3:25 – 3:30pm

Q&A

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 1123.08 KB

Download:   pdfDay 1 - Session 11 Christine Ross Presentation1.75 MB

3:30 – 4:00pm: Afternoon tea

 

Session 12: 4:00 – 4:20pm

Reliable communications

Interviewer: Julie McCrossin

Interviewees:
Tanya Cameron OAM, National President, Country Women’s Association of Australia
Wendy Hick, Immediate Past President, Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (Australia)

Communications is now an essential service for both consumers and businesses. If they fail, we face real consequences. Join our panellists as they share what having reliable communications means to them, and the impacts faced if these services are down.

4:20 – 4:30pm

Q&A

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 1227.61 KB

Session 13: 4:30 – 4:35pm

Greens Spokesperson for Disability Rights and Services (video)

Senator Jordon Steele-John

We welcome a video message from Greens Senator Steele-John, outlining his perspectives on telecommunications and consumer issues.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 1314.34 KB

Session 14: 4:35 – 5:00pm

ACCAN Awards Presentation and 10 year reflection

Presenters:
Deirdre O’Donnell, ACCAN Chair
Chris Dodds, Deputy Chair

In this session ACCAN will recognise the contribution of many who have been a part of the first 10 years of ACCAN’s journey.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 1 - Session 1424.17 KB

5:00 – 7:00pm: 10 year celebration networking drinks in foyer

 

Day 2, Thursday 12th September

Welcome back: 8:55 – 9:00am

MC: Julie McCrossin

 

Session 1: 9:00 – 9:20am

Keynote presentation - Andrew Penn, CEO, Telstra

This session will outline some of the key issues from a Telstra perspective for consumers its customers specifically going forward.

9:20 – 9:30am

Q&A

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 127.12 KB

Session 2: 9:30 – 9:50am

The Mobile Nation - The 5G future

Presenter: Chris Althaus, CEO, Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association

We are pleased to welcome Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) CEO, Chris Althaus to present on the 5G future. AMTA’s research report examines the productivity benefits that 5G will bring to the Australian economy.

9:50 – 9:55am

Q&A

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 221.36 KB

Download:   pdfDay 2 - Session 2 Chris Althaus Presentation.pdf4.39 MB

Session 3: 9:55 – 10:00am

Shadow Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland MP (video)

Shadow Minster for Communications Michelle Rowland will outline her perspectives about telecommunications and consumer issues in a video message.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 316.36 KB

Session 4: 10:00 – 10:20am

Keynote presentation - Gavan Williams, Executive General Manager - Products, NBN Co

The completion of the nbn build by the end of June 2020 puts NBN Co on a path to significantly lift Australia’s digital capability and unlock social and economic benefits for the nation.

10:20 – 10:30am

Q&A

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 427.5 KB

Download:   pdfDay 2 - Session 4 Gavin Williams Presentation1.74 MB

Morning tea: 10:30-11:00am

 

Session 5: 11:00 – 11:20am

Keynote presentation – Kevin Russell, Group Managing Director & CEO, Vocus Group

This session will outline some of the key issues from a Vocus perspective for consumers its customers specifically going forward. Vocus providers include Dodo and iPrimus.

 Download:  docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 522.87 KB

Session 6: 11:20 – 11:30am

Introduction to Accessible Telecoms

Presenter: Wayne Hawkins, ACCAN Director of Inclusion

ACCAN’s Director of Inclusion Wayne Hawkins leads a demonstration of the Accessible Telecoms project. This ground-breaking resource is a nation-wide disability telecommunications information service which provides information on the accessibility of mainstream and specialised telecoms equipment.

 Download:  docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 619.41 KB

Session 7: 11:30am – 12:30pm

Small providers’ forum

Facilitator:
Teresa Corbin, ACCAN CEO

Panellists:
Russel Barnes, Founder, Better Life Mobile
Jeremy Way, CEO, Jeenee
David Joss, Managing Director, Southern Phone
Jock Graham, Managing Director, Wi-Sky

While most recognise the three big telco providers, Australia’s telco market has dozens of small providers. In this session, ACCAN CEO Teresa Corbin sits down with a range of these smaller providers to discuss how they operate and what they can provide to consumers.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 736.13 KB

Lunch: 12:30 – 1:15pm

 

Session 8: 1:15 – 1:30pm

Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia perspectives

Introduction: Julie McCrossin, MC

Interviewee: Peter Doukas, Senior Deputy Chairperson, Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia

Australia is a vast country with a wide variety of people who call it home. This session will explore the way that Australia’s ethnic communities communicate and how their telcos needs mirror or diverge from other communities across Australia.

1:30 – 1:35pm

Q&A

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 823.3 KB

Session 9: 1:35 – 1:55pm

Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition - Update

Presenter: Tony Mahar, CEO, National Farmers’ Federation

This session will take a look back at what the Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition has achieved since forming in late 2016. With inputs from a wide variety of groups from education, to farming and agriculture, the RRRCC has made considerable progress in raising the profile of the communications needs of regional and remote Australians.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 9 922.66 KB

Download:   pdfDay 2 - Session 9 Tony Mahar Presentation.pdf1.75 MB

Session 10: 1:55 – 2:15pm

Privacy - A day in the life of data

Presenters: Lauren Solomon, CEO, Consumer Policy Research Centre

Consumer Policy Research Centre CEO Lauren Solomon presents findings from CPRC’s ”A Day In the Life of Data Report”. The report presents the personal data extracted from consumers each day, often without their full knowledge, understanding, or consent.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 1022.87 KB

Download:   pdfDay 2 - Session 10 Lauren Solomon Presentation.pdf1.89 MB

Session 11: 2:15 – 2:30pm

ACCAN grants program

Presenter: Tanya Karliychuk, ACCAN Grants and Research Manager

Speakers:
Dr Amber Marshall, QUT - Connectivity and digital inclusion in FNQ agricultural communities
Dr James Meese, UTS - Consumer rights to personal data

Each year, ACCAN funds a number of projects through the ACCAN Grants Program. In this session, two successful past applicants will share the results from their projects and insights gained during the process.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 1119.06 KB

Download:   pdfDay 2 - Session 11 Amber Marshall Presentation955.65 KB
Download:   pdfDay 2 - Session 11 James Meese Presentation323.54 KB

Session 12: 2:30 – 3:30pm

QandA Fast Forward to 2030 – What does the future look like for telco consumers?

Host: Elise Davidson, General Manager Strategic Communications, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Guests:
Elise Ball, Special Counsel, Maddocks Lawyers
Erin Turner, Director, Campaigns & Communications, CHOICE
Peter Doukas, Senior Deputy Chairperson, Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia
Lauren Solomon, CEO, Consumer Policy Research Centre
Christine Ross, Facilitator, Indigenous Focus Day
Sue Salthouse, Director, Didactic Enterprises

We’ve seen the telco space change at an unprecedented pace during ACCAN’s first 10 years. In this session, we look forward to what the next decade may hold for telco consumers. With insights from some of Australia’s most prominent consumer advocacy voices, this is a session not to be missed.

Download:   docxTranscripts Day 2 - Session 1234.99 KB

Closing remarks: 3:30 – 3:40pm 

Presenter: Teresa Corbin, ACCAN CEO

Conference close: 3:40pm 

Afternoon tea 3:30 – 4:00pm

ACCAN AGM: 4:00pm

 

Download:  docxConference Program55.71 KB
Download:   pdfConference Program5.02 M