Holly Raiche has served ACCAN as a Board member for many years. She was a member of the ACCAN Working Group (involved with establishment of ACCAN) and was the Deputy Chair of ACCAN’s Founding Board.
She is a respected communications law scholar and consumer activist who has served Australia’s communications community in national and international roles.
Holly’s contributions extend far beyond her work with ACIF, CTN and ACCAN. Through the Internet Society of Australia, she has been involved in the far wider world of internet regulation and governance.
Her ability, experience and commitment to robust analysis of communications issues has assisted ACCAN and the Board in its’ advocacy for better outcomes for consumers.
Background
The government has proposed banning Australian children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. If passed, children would no longer be able to use platforms such as:
- X (formerly Twitter)
- TikTok
- Snapchat
Read more: The under-16’s social media ban
Write comment (0 Comments)Preliminary research commissioned by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) raises alarm bells for policymakers and regulators. Findings point to widespread consumer harm and deep mistrust in the telecommunications industry.
The polling, conducted as part of the first tranche of ACCAN’s consumer sentiment research, highlights troubling experiences of telco behaviour and unmet expectations.
This Roundtable will hear about current cyber security issues from leading advocates in the disability sector, as well as discussing industry and government initiatives designed to create a safer online experience. The Roundtable will identify what people with disabilities need to protect themselves online.
Read more: Cyber-Security Roundtable for People with Disabilities
Financial Counselling Australia – get in touch with a Financial Counsellor.
Debt self help tools – try this handy tool kit.
Emergency information – The ABC is Australia's official emergency broadcaster and has links to survival planning and other prevention strategies.
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) – The TIO is a fast, free and fair service that helps resolve telephone and internet complaints.
Financial Rights Legal Centre – some fantastic information to help you find the best help when in debt and how to avoid dodgy credit solutions.
National Children's and Youth Law Centre – a free legal service for people under the age of 25.
Some providers have special deals available for people in special circumstances. Here are the ones we've heard of.
Telstra
InContact is a free limited service that offers incoming calls but restricts outgoing calls. Telstra customer service, service difficulties and fault numbers can be called.
Telstra's prepaid calling card allows guests to make calls on a pre-paid basis, with the flexibility of being able to use the card from almost anywhere.
This aims to provide a phone service for people who seek shelter within emergency accommodation (one service only per property).
Telstra Bill Assistance Program
The program is designed to assist specific householders in maintaining access to a telephone service when difficulties arise.
CentrePay is a direct deduction facility offered by Centrelink to customers, who may choose to pay some household bills and other essential services.
Home Phone Budget offers has a line rental plan that provides a relatively lower line rental price than standard services with higher call prices. It is designed for Telstra residential customers with just one fixed line service who make very few calls.
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Download: 
ACCAN Magazine Issue 26 Summer 20182.8 MB (Note: reading order not accessible)
Download accessible version: 
ACCAN Magazine Issue 26 Summer 2018 - accessible version41.03 KB
About | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6
ACCANect Online
ACCANect Online provides a platform for telecommunications consumers to hear from leading voices in the telco sector about the key communications issues that are impacting consumers today and into the future. The new multi-part video series from ACCAN features presentations on the accessibility of communications services, issues relating to regional, rural and remote Australians, and digital inclusion, as well as interviews with ACCAN CEO Teresa Corbin.
Read more about the speakers below.
– Deidre O'Donnell, ACCAN Chairperson
A new report released by ACCAN today delves into young people’s experiences and issues with accessing and using phone and internet services.
We know that for many young people, phone and internet services are vital for work, study, accessing services and keeping connected with family and friends.
Our research focused on:
- The services used by young people, and their needs,
- How they navigate the market, make choices and deal with issues
- What is important to them when it comes to communications services.
Sue Salthouse AM became Chair of ACCAN following its first AGM in 2009 and she was also the chair of the ACCAN Standing Advisory Committee on Disability Issues. She was on the inaugural ACCAN Board in 2008 and completed her term at the end of 2011. Prior to that Sue worked closely with TEDICORE on many communications consumers issues. She was on the Telecommunications Consumer Representation Working Group which developed the ACCAN proposal. Sue co-ordinated the Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) Telecommunications Working Group and was the Chair of the Communications Alliance Disability Council. Sue has made major contributions to improving the accessibility of telecommunications for people with disabilities in Australia.
Visit Sue's ACCAN condolence page.
ACCAN’s purpose, as outlined in our Strategic Plan, is to work for “communications services that are trusted, inclusive, accessible and available for all.”
In 2022-23 ACCAN will focus on the following priority areas, informed by the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and natural disasters on consumers’ use of communications services and the need for accessible and easy-to-understand consumer education and information about communications issues. At the same time, we will be responsive to emerging issues, and engage with government and industry consultations in areas of significance for communications consumers, including the converging areas of media, broadcasting and digital platforms.
Our policy priorities are developed in close consultation with ACCAN members and are informed by our knowledge and analysis of the communications market.
The summary below outlines ACCAN’s activities from 1 June 2022 – 31 August 2022.