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The summary below outlines ACCAN's activities from 1 June, 2016 to 31 August, 2016.
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The summary below outlines ACCAN's activities from 1 March 2016 to 31 May 2016.
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The summary below outlines ACCAN's activities from 1 December 2015 to 29 February 2016.
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The summary below outlines ACCAN’s activities from 1 September to 30 November 2015.
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2023-24 Annual Report
CEO Report, Carol Bennett
I am pleased to present ACCAN’s Annual Report for 2023-24.
When I commenced as CEO of ACCAN in early July this year, my focus was on contributing to the national effort to improve access, affordability and functionality of communications for all Australians. No small task, but I am pleased to say ACCAN has continued its outstanding work in support of equitable access to fundamental services that enable Australians to build and sustain social connections, work productivity, health and safety. It’s hard to imagine a more important area when it comes to improving quality of life for consumers.
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The Strategic Plan provides insights into ACCAN’s mission, values and strategic goals. The Plan will direct the organisation’s work for the next three (3) years and sets out how ACCAN will achieve its mission of available, accessible and affordable communications that enhance the lives of consumers.
Download: 
ACCAN Strategic Plan 2021-2024 1.35 MB
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Through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), ACCAN aims to:
- build and maintain positive relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities;
- ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and/or employees of ACCAN are valued for their unique perspectives and experiences;
- support story telling as a culturally important form of communication for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
- assist in reducing the digital divide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
- demonstrate culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
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The purpose of the Members Advisory Forum (MAF) is to discuss the most important issues from the perspective of ACCAN's members and the people they represent, with a view to incorporating these into ACCAN's work priorities.
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Executive
Carol Bennett, Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Carol oversees all of ACCAN's work and operations. She is a highly respected leader with a strong track record of delivering positive change for consumers and communities in all her previous CEO roles. She has outstanding expertise in strategic decision-making, communications, advocacy, stakeholder management, financial performance, collaboration building, government relations and corporate governance.
Carol has held senior executive and board positions with national peak bodies in the health sector. Most recently, she was CEO of the Alliance for Gambling Reform from 2021 until commencing at ACCAN in mid-2024.
Gareth Downing, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Gareth oversees a team responsible for ACCAN’s policy work, community engagement and membership. His career has focused on policy and regulation and he has worked on policy across a number of regulated sectors including telecommunications, energy and water. Gareth is committed to advancing consumer’s interest through his leadership of ACCAN’s policy team.
Gareth has previously sat on the ACCAN board, and prior to that worked for ACCAN in the role of Senior Policy Analyst providing advice on a wide range of policy, economic regulation and pricing matters. Gareth holds tertiary qualifications in policy, economics and law.
Yuriko Hoshi, Business Manager
Tanya Karliychuk, Director of Operations
Tanya oversees a team responsible for ACCAN’s federally-funded Grants Scheme, commissioned research program, and consumer education program. She provides leadership ensuring ACCAN adheres to its values and advances its strategic direction. With extensive experience in research management within the Australian university and NFP sectors, combined with a background in international development, Tanya is especially focused on maximising the outcomes achieved from community-sector collaborations.
Tanya has driven the writing, winning and delivery of large government grants in the international development sector, as well as smaller community sector grants for various volunteer projects. She is currently Co-Convenor of the NSW Chapter of the Australasian Research Management Society. Tanya holds a Master of International Affairs from ANU and a Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) from Macquarie University.
Staff
Alec Bennetts
Alec Bennetts is ACCAN's Media and Communications Officer. He oversees external ACCAN communications, including media releases, newsletters, website content, social media, and member communications, and ensures ACCAN is well-represented in national and local media. Alec has previously worked in policy research and political communications. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney.
Elise Eckland
Accessible Telecoms and Policy Lead
Kate Evans
Executive Assistant and Events Co-ordinator
Laura Fayers-Pooley
Media & Comms Assistant / Accessible Telecoms
Con Gouskos
Con Gouskos leads ACCAN’s work on telecommunications consumer protections. Con regularly engages with financial counsellors and community legal centres concerning telecommunications consumer protections. Con holds a degree in International Studies from the University of New South Wales and a Certificate IV in Government from TAFE. He is currently working towards a Master of Administrative Law and Policy at the University of Sydney.
Sam Kininmonth
Sam Kininmonth leads the ACCAN policy team’s research work and engagement with the research sector. An experienced consumer advocate, Sam previously worked as a sessional academic. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Swinburne University of Technology and a Bachelor of Communication (Distinction) from RMIT University. Sam is completing a PhD on digital media and automation in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society at RMIT University.
Kelly Lindsay
Kelly leads the ACCAN policy team’s consumer engagement and outreach. She is responsible for building and managing relationships with a diverse range of consumer stakeholders and members. An experienced advocate at ACCAN, Kelly previously worked for the Queensland Government in areas of project coordination and stakeholder management in the built asset environment.
James O'Brien
As Accessible Telecoms Project Assistant, James works part time assisting in researching and updating devices, accessories and apps for the Accessible Telecoms website. He also assists customers by providing them information to improve their ability to communicate using these technologies. Prior to Accessible Telecoms James worked in the telecommunication industry for 25 years.
Rebekah Palmer
Comms & Policy Officer / Accessible Telecoms
Jennifer Parry
Accessible Telecoms Project Assistant
Dr Amelia Radke
Dr Amelia Radke leads ACCAN's work on digital inclusion, with a particular focus on issues relating to the affordability and accessibility of services for First Nations Australians, regional, rural, and remote Australia, and vulnerable consumers. She has extensive experience in policy and research both in academic and non-government settings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in anthropology and a PhD in legal anthropology from the University of Queensland.
Audrey Reoch
Audrey Reoch leads ACCAN’s work on infrastructure and economics policy. Audrey previously worked at the Department of Infrastructure and later Communications, where she represented Australia in the Universal Postal Union and International Telecommunication Union to advocate for international standards in the interests of Australian consumers. She holds an MA in Social and Political Thought from the University of Sussex and an Honours Degree in Political Economy from the University of Sydney.
David Swayn
David leads ACCAN’s policy work for people with a disability. David has substantial experience working in disability advocacy and accessibility-based roles with responsibilities including systemic advocacy, project leadership, and regional and national engagement. David holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Business and is a committee member of the Australian Web Accessibility Initiative (OzeWAI). David has lived experience of disability.
Rich Van Der Male
As ACCAN’s Digital Assets Manager, Rich takes a human-centered approach to ICT services, emphasising user-friendly solutions, empathetic support, and technology that enhances both experience and accessibility for all. Rich leads initiatives across ICT management, web development, print and digitial design, as well as video production.
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Australian Communications Consumer Action Network
PO Box A1158
Sydney South, NSW 1235
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As part of its consultation strategy, ACCAN has four Standing Advisory Forums. The four Standing Advisory Forums have replaced the previous Standing Advisory Committees that made up ACCAN's consultation framework – the Standing Advisory Committee on Consumer Affairs (SACCA) and the Standing Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (SACDI).
The new framework commenced in 2015 and will see each Advisory Forum meet annually. Additionally, where there are specific issues which require consultation, the ACCAN CEO may form Expert Advisory Committees.
- The Members Advisory Forum will focus across all the areas of ACCAN's activity and policy work.
- The Disability Advisory Forum will address issues regarding accessibility and suitability of communications services and products for Australians living with a disability.
- The Indigenous Advisory Forum focuses on Indigenous communications issues and suitability of communications services and products for Indigenous consumers.
- The Small Business Advisory Forum will work to ensure that the voice of small business consumers is heard in the telecommunications industry.
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1. Introduction
ACCAN was formed as a peak body for consumers and consumer organisations on communications issues, including telecommunications and the internet. ACCAN has a central role in advocacy, research, training, consultation, the provision of policy advice and consumer education. One specific function of ACCAN is to administer the distribution of funding previously allocated by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (section 593 grants).
Individuals and organisations joining ACCAN retain their identity and are able to advocate on their own or their members’ behalf. ACCAN is an important forum in which consumer concerns and views can be debated and shared and, as much as possible, resolved.
The overarching objective guiding ACCAN is to ensure that communications are available, accessible and affordable for all Australians.
The ACCAN constitution was created in 2008 and was last amended in 2023.