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IN THE NEWS: Presumption of reimbursement essential for consumer-centric scams reform, concerns about 3G shutdown linger despite ongoing awareness campaign, and ACCAN AGM wrap-up
CEO MESSAGE: This week, we intensified our efforts to lobby the government to revise their draft scams prevention laws. While we and other consumer groups welcomed the Scams Prevention Framework when it was unveiled for public consultation by the Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones a fortnight ago, we know that it is falls short of being the best reform that could be made for consumers.
As I wrote in an opinion piece for Australian Community Media this week, consumer outcomes would be better served through the introduction of UK-style mandatory reimbursement for scams victims. The legislation as drafted places the onus for action on consumers, who are expected to go through an appeals process to receive compensation at the same time they face very difficult emotional and, likely financial, challenges.
Our team was in Canberra this week for the COTA ACT Seniors and Better Ageing Expo. It was a great chance to hear from seniors, carers and service providers about the pressing communications issues that they face. Our conversations with attendees did nothing to ease our concerns about general unreadiness for the 3G shutdown. Too many people we spoke to were unaware of the shutdown, had out of date or incorrect information, or were still using 3G devices. This is why the awareness campaign from the major telcos, which is set to roll-out to social media imminently, is so important. It is vital that you check your tech before 28 October.
Finally, we sadly farewelled our Chair, Professor Julian Thomas, and Deputy Chair, Victoria Rubensohn at our Annual General Meeting on Thursday. A huge thank you to Julian and Victoria for loyal and dedicated service to ACCAN over many years. We also welcomed two new Board directors - Robert Morsillo and Dr Daniel Featherstone – after a competitive election process. Both have extensive sector experience and a strong consumer focus and we look forward to working with them.
And finally a thanks to all members who attended our AGM – your support as always is greatly appreciated.
I hope you enjoy this edition of WebNews.
Carol Bennett
Chief Executive Officer
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This week our CEO Carol Bennett penned an opinion piece in the Canberra Times, outlining the concerns ACCAN has in regard to the new scam prevention legislation proposed by the government. In the piece, Carol makes clear that, while ACCAN and consumer groups support the legislation, our support is based on the fact that the legislation is a step forward but doesn’t reflect the best possible outcome for consumers. ACCAN will continue to call for a presumption of reimbursement scheme to ensure consumer outcomes are secured in anti-scams legislation.
We followed our opinion piece with a press statement further detailing our scams calls. In the UK, regulation will soon come into force which will see scams victims receive full compensation from banks. This scheme is mandatory. In recent weeks, the banking lobby has come out strongly against a mandatory reimbursement scheme – the last thing banks want is to be on the hook for consumer losses that their platforms and systems helped to facilitate. This pushback flies in the face of reality. With their significant resourcing and oversight of the financial system, it makes sense from an economic and policy standpoint that banks be held responsible for losses, so that they are incentivised to take strong action to stop scams in the first instance. [ACCAN]
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ACCAN staff attended the COTA ACT Seniors and Better Ageing Expo this week. It was a fantastic chance to catch up with members and hear about the communications needs of older ACT residents from all attendees – seniors, carers and service providers. While affordability and service reliability was often raised in discussions, the upcoming 3G shutdown was a dominant topic. After talking to many attendees, we remain concerned that awareness of the shutdown and how to prepare for it is still limited. With Telstra and Optus soon to launch a social media 3G awareness campaign, now is the time to ensure you are ready for 3G to come to an end. For more information, visit the link above. [AMTA]
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ACCAN’s AGM, held on Thursday this week, saw us farewell Professor Julian Thomas and Victoria Rubensohn, respectively our Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, at the meeting. Julian and Victoria have been dedicated board members, and their efforts and expertise have been greatly appreciated over many years. Two Board vacancies were filled in a contested election of high calibre candidates. Congratulations to Robert Morsillo and Dr Daniel Featherstone, who were elected to fill these positions [ACCAN]. Their bios can be found at the link above. In addition, ACCAN’s Annual Report for 2023-24 is now available on our website. Our advocacy has delivered real wins for communications consumers! From scams protections to fairer pricing, we've been fighting for a better deal for Australians throughout the past year. [ACCAN]
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ACCAN would like to see better value, less e-waste, and more affordable, long-lasting tech for all Australians. In a recent submission to the Circular Economy Ministerial Advisory Group we advocated for the government to legislate a ‘right to repair,’ which would improve Australians' access to affordable repairs for their internet devices. We also recommend introducing a repairability labelling scheme, helping consumers understand how easily a device can be repaired before purchasing. Read more at the link above. [ACCAN]
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The Regional Telecommunications Review (RTR) is nearly complete, with the final report of the Independent Review Committee due to be submitted to the Government in December. Now is your final chance to join the nearly 4000 people who have already had their say. Two final consultations will be held online on Tuesday October 1. You can register here. We lodged a lengthy submission to the RTR, headlined by the recommendation that the Universal Service Obligation be transferred to NBN Co, alongside the establishment of fit-for-purpose governance arrangements that ensure NBN Co is accountable and transparent. [ACCAN]
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We recently submitted a proposal to the ACCC calling for stronger consumer protections on digital platforms (e.g. social media and messaging). We advocated for:
- Easier ways to report issues: clear complaint channels through internal dispute resolution standards and expanding the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman to cover digital communications
- Safer online spaces: cracking down on scams and bad actors with stronger business user verification
- Fairness across the board: expanding the Telco Industry Levy to include digital services
These changes will create a safer, fairer digital experience for all Australians. Learn more at the link above. [ACCAN]
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The ACCAN Board is inviting Expressions of Interest from experienced individuals interested in serving on ACCAN’s Independent Grants Panel. There are currently two vacancies on the Panel. The Grants Panel assesses applications for funding received to ACCAN’s annual grants round and are an important part of the independence and rigour of the Program. Interest from candidates with experience in the community sector and/or current research knowledge of the social impact of digital platforms is particularly encouraged. Expressions of Interest must be received by 5pm (AEDT) Friday 11 October 2024. For more information, including selection criteria, please visit the link above. [ACCAN]
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Auslan90, a new daily news service in Auslan run by Deaf Connect, in partnership with SBS News and the Department of Social Services was launched this week. This groundbreaking initiative will provide Deaf Australians with daily news summaries and weekly "deep dives" into specific news topics. We're committed to supporting initiatives that increase the availability of news and information for all Australians. Auslan90 is a fantastic step towards ensuring greater inclusivity and accessibility for the Deaf community. [Deaf Connect]
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WebNews #676
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Tel: (02) 9288 4000
Email: media@accan.org.au
If you are Deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, you can contact us on 02 9288 4000 through your preferred National Relay Service call number or access point.
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