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ACCAN recently responded to the Department of Home Affairs’ 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy: Legislative Reforms Consultation Paper (the Consultation Paper).

ACCAN supports the legislative reforms introduced by the Consultation Paper to address the gaps in the current regulatory framework. These reforms include:

Period: 1 September – 30 November 2023

ACCAN recently submitted to the Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications’ consultation on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards and Other Measures) Bill 2023 [Provisions] (The Bill).

ACCAN supports the Bill as an important step in refining the telecommunications consumer safeguards framework. The Bill expands the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s reporting remit and improves the ability for consumers to gain compensation from Statutory Infrastructure Providers.

ACCAN recently submitted to the ACCC’s Public Inquiry into the Declaration of the Domestic Transmission Capacity Service, Fixed Line Services and Domestic Mobile Terminating Access Service Draft Report.

ACCAN agrees with and supports the draft report’s recommendations to extend the declarations of:

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes the new Telecommunications (Financial Hardship) Industry Standard, developed by the ACMA at the direction of the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.

ACCAN CEO Andrew Williams said that the new financial hardship standard is a critical improvement in consumer protections for telecommunications consumers.

ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Treasury’s Pre-Budget consultation to provide our views on priorities for the 2024-2025 Australian Budget. Our submission calls on the Federal Government to address the barriers faced by consumers in accessing affordable, quality, and reliable telecommunications by:

ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Social Services consultation on the Australian Government response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The 222 recommendations provided in the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) are a significant opportunity for Australia to create impactful, lasting, and positive change across a variety of critical areas for people with disability, including access to communications products and services.

ACCAN recommends that the government response to the DRC should include:

ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts' Discussion Paper: Carriage Service Provider (CSP) registration or licensing scheme for the telecommunications industry.  

ACCAN supports the creation of a registration or licensing scheme (RoLS) for the telecommunications market. A RoLS represents an important component to ensure the telecommunications market works efficiently for all participants. An RoLS would: 

ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts' consultation on extending telecommunications security reform instruments.

ACCAN supports extending the Telecommunications (Carrier License Conditions—Security Information) Declaration 2022 and the Telecommunications (Carriage Service Provider—Security Information) Determination 2022 for 18 months while the Australian Government consults on longer term telecommunications security arrangements.

The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) was delighted to host the 2023 Sue Salthouse Memorial Lecture on 5th December 2023.

We strongly encourage prospective applicants to phone or email ACCAN's grants team to discuss your project idea. Remember, applications are assessed independently, so we are able to help you develop your idea and hone it appropriately for the ACCAN Program. We're also available for any other questions you might have about ACCAN Grants.

Phone: 02 9288 4000

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or via the National Relay Service

 

Rural Telecommunications Tower

The Australian Government is currently reviewing the future of the Universal Service Obligation (USO) beyond 2024. This blog post aims to answer some of the general questions consumers may have about this important consumer protection.

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