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The opinion piece below was written by ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. It was originally published on 29 January 2025.
One of the most important bills to come before the Federal Parliament prior to the looming election will be a proposed framework for preventing scams.
Ahead of the parliamentary debate there seems a lot of discussion about ensuring there are adequate protections - but for who?
Read more: New anti-scam laws are a rip off, unless you're a bank or big business
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Australia’s peak communications consumer body, ACCAN, is calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the conduct and culture of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) following troubling revelations about its close collaboration with major telcos.
Read more: ‘Cosy’ relationship between watchdog and telcos is costly for consumers
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In December 2024 ACCAN provided a submission to the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee concerning the National Broadband Network Companies Amendment (Commitment to Public Ownership) Bill 2024 [Provisions].
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ACCAN - Australia’s peak national communications consumer body – has hailed the Federal Government’s strengthening of enforcement powers a major win for telecommunications consumers.
ACCAN’s CEO, Carol Bennett, said the reforms will promote increased accountability, transparency and compliance within the telecommunications industry, and contribute towards improving trust in telcos which has been eroding.
Read more: New enforcement powers a major win for telco consumers
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ACCAN recently submitted to the Attorney-General’s Department’s consultation into Automated Decision-Making (ADM) reform. ADM will continue to grow in the future and ACCAN encourages the development of appropriate safeguards for government use.
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ACCAN recently responded to the Senate Standing Committees on Economics’ inquiry into the Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024 [Provisions] (The SPF).
Read more: Scams Prevention Framework Bill 2024 [Provisions]
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Australians stand to benefit from a $3 billion equity investment from the Federal Government in the National Broadband Network to upgrade Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology. This commitment will be boosted by an $800m NBN Co commitment.
The money will deliver high-quality fibre internet upgrades to over 600,000 Australian homes and businesses – over half located in regional Australia.
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Peak communications consumer body ACCAN has welcomed the findings of the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) 2024 report, particularly the call for action on stronger consumer protections under the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code and universal service reform in 2025.
The report was released a day before the latest draft of the updated TCP Code was released for public consultation.
Read more: Regional telco review heaps further pressure on consumer code
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ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Treasury’s Pre-Budget consultation to provide our views on priorities for the 2025-2026 Budget. Our submission calls on the Australian Government to address the barriers faced by communications consumers in accessing affordable, reliable, competitive and accessible telecommunications services.
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ACCAN recently submitted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the Regional Broadband Scheme (RBS) Levy. The RBS is critical to the funding of non-commercial regional, rural and remote NBN services. ACCAN supports the positions of the ACCC, which will strengthen confidence and trust in the RBS by ensuring that the levy reflects the efficient costs of delivering non-commercial services.
Read more: Regional Broadband Scheme (RBS) Levy submission 2024
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The opinion piece below was written by ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett for the Canberra Times. It was originally published on 13 December 2024.
Australians will go to the polls in the first half of next year with the cost-of-living crisis dominating the political agenda.
The skyrocketing costs of essentials have hit people hard. The housing crisis has sent rents spiralling, and supermarkets have been accused of price gouging on essential food items. The eye-watering cost of electricity and other utilities is also hitting hard.
Read more: Essential communications unaffordable for too many
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ACCAN recently submitted to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the Department) on the First Nations Digital Support Hub and Network of Digital Mentors – Draft Combined Grant Opportunity Guidelines. ACCAN welcomes the First Nations Digital Support Hub and Network of Digital Mentors as an important step in supporting the digital ability and literacy of First Nations Australians.