Telecommunication services are essential for ensuring public health and safety, promoting access to educational and employment opportunities as well as social inclusiveness. ACCAN’s Pre-Budget Submission 2019-20 identifies market gaps and provides recommendations on telecommunications initiatives that will benefit consumers including:
- Measures to ensure affordable broadband and voice services for low income households so that No Australian is Left Offline;
- The re-establishment of the Communications Fund to ensure that there is a long term funding mechanism for programs that require an enduring commitment:
- Ongoing investment in regional mobile infrastructure; and
- A comprehensive Indigenous Digital Inclusion Strategy
- Accessible Telecoms – an information and referral service to assist Australians with accessibility needs to get the right phone for them;
- The introduction of Audio Description services for Australian television.
