The Australian Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) welcomes the Minister of Communications, Michelle Rowland’s, decision to direct the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to implement a standard for financial hardship.

“ACCAN strongly supports the Minister for Communications directing the ACMA to make a directly enforceable instrument for safeguarding telco consumers experiencing financial hardship,” said ACCAN CEO, Andrew Williams.

“Establishing substantive protections for telco consumers will support as many as 2.4 million Australians who have had difficulty or struggled to pay a telco bill in the last 12 months,” said Mr. Williams.

“Better protections for consumers facing financial hardships are a good step forward, and ACCAN looks forward to working with the government and industry on advancing the public interest,” said Mr. Williams.

ACCAN supports the government continuing to explore further how direct regulation can also assist consumers experiencing domestic and family violence and drive improvements in credit assessment and selling practices.

Read the Minister’s media release here.

Download:  MEDIA RELEASE - Ministerial direction on financial hardship3.95 MB

Download:  MEDIA RELEASE - Ministerial direction on financial hardship142.63 KB