Media Releases

ACCAN's work informs public debate about consumer issues in the communications landscape.  Welcome to our collection of the latest news and current affairs that impact communications consumers. 

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Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has welcomed news that Optus will pay one of the largest consumer law penalties in Australian history - a $100 million fine, subject to court approval, for unconscionable conduct.

ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said, “Unconscionable conduct is a high bar and one that Optus has spectacularly surpassed in its behaviour preying on some of our most vulnerable communities and consumers, including Indigenous communities. We thank the ACCC for acting on behalf of those who were exploited by this appalling behaviour.”

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ACCAN has today welcomed the announcement from Minister for Communications Anika Wells that the Telecommunications (Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Consumer Protections) Industry Standard 2025 has been finalised and will come into effect on 1 July 2025 as a crucial milestone for Australians experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.

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Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has expressed concern following today’s news that Telstra has been fined for failing to maintain access for more than 12 hours to the 106 emergency call service used by Australians with hearing and speech impairments.

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Too many Australians are being pressured into phone and internet deals that don’t meet their needs. The industry-drafted rules that are in place to protect consumers from harmful sales practices simply aren’t working, and must be replaced with direct regulation, says the Fair Call Coalition – 23 peak consumer bodies with an interest in a fair deal for telco consumers.

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Peak communications consumer body, ACCAN is deeply concerned about the impact of Telstra’s announcement of imminent price increases on mobile and internet plans on consumers struggling with the cost of living.

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ACCAN, the national peak body representing communications consumers, is deeply concerned about allegations levelled at Telstra today by rival telco TPG Telecom.

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ACCAN, the national peak body representing communications consumers, congratulates the Albanese Labor Government on its re-election and a clear mandate from the Australian community for reforms and policies that ensure Australia leads as a nation that supports growth, productivity and wellbeing of its citizens.

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Australia’s peak communications consumer body, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network – ACCAN, is calling on the major parties to commit to a concessional internet product delivered by NBN Co to provide a cost-of-living boost to low-income Australians this Federal election.

This follows a new ACCAN report undertaken by Essential Research which shows significant popular support for a concessional internet product, and strong demand for cheaper broadband services for people doing it tough in a cost-of-living crisis.

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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.

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Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, has today called for the weak and ineffective industry-drafted Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code to be scrapped in favour of robust and enforceable industry standards that better protect Australian consumers.

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With the recovery from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred underway—and many parts of Australia's east coast still experiencing significant rain and flooding—attention must soon turn to how new communications technology that can support those in emergency situations due to natural disasters, says peak communications consumer body ACCAN.

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Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, welcomes the government’s announcement that requirements will be placed upon major mobile carriers to significantly expand mobile coverage across the country.