ACCAN’s 2025 Election Platform 

A fairer future for communications 

Australians deserve communications and digital services that are affordable, reliable, and deliver on their promises. Rising costs, a lack of transparency, and inadequate consumer protections are leaving many behind. We're campaigning for a fairer communications market, where everyone can afford to stay connected and digital giants are held accountable. It's time for real action to ensure access to essential communication services isn't a privilege, but a right. 

Learn how we’re fighting for your communications needs, see our election campaign asks.

Affordable Internet for All – The Case for a Concessional Broadband Product 

Prices for NBN services have increased in recent years, compounding the cost-of-living pressures experienced by Australians. 57% of low-income households and individuals struggle to pay for an NBN service. Entry level NBN plans remain at $75 per month. 

Solution 

The Australian Government should create a concessional broadband product to improve educational and economic outcomes for low-income households. We propose subsidising NBN Co so eligible households would then only have to pay approximately $30 per month to access an unlimited 50/20 Mbps broadband product. 

Implementing a concessional broadband product will:  

Bridging the Digital Divide - The Case for National Free Public Wi-Fi

Too many Australians struggle to access reliable internet, preventing them from connecting with essential health, education and government services.

Solution 

The Australian Government should introduce a national free public Wi-Fi program to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable members of our communities. 

Establishing national free public Wi-Fi will: 

A Competitive Telco Market – The Case for a Plan Comparison Tool 

Australians lack easy access to information for comparing phone and internet plans. Many available comparison tools are sponsored or affiliated with specific providers and do not show all available offers. 50% of consumers have not switched their telecommunications provider in the last 5 years. 

Solution 

The Australian Government should establish and fund an independent plan comparison tool for the telecommunications market to assist consumers in finding an affordable mobile or internet plan. 

Creating an independent plan comparison tool will:  

A Fairer Digital World - The Need for a Digital Communications Ombudsman 

The costs of issues, complaints and disputes in Australia each year to users and businesses on digital platforms is estimated to be $3.7 billion. Accenture estimates there were 2.4 million complaints to digital platforms in 2020. Australians do not have access to effective dispute resolution processes for digital platforms and public trust in the industry is failing. 

Solution 

The Australian Government should expand the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman to become a Digital Communications Industry Ombudsman, establishing an avenue for external dispute resolution for digital communications. 

Expanding the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman to include digital communications will deliver: