ACCAN targets self-regulation, broadcasting and the NBN

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 03 September 2009 11:22

IT Industry - Strategy

The new consumers telecommunications body, ACCAN is proposing to expand its scope to cover broadcasting and to demand legislation requiring that the government formally respond when presented with evidence of systemic failures in the telecoms and broadcasting markets. Also on the table is a proposal that it lobby for "The abandonment or reform of self-regulation to a best practice system that better delivers consumer outcomes, and is more technology neutral."

The Australian Consumers Communications Action Network (ACCAN) came into being on 1 July as a new peak body incorporating the functions of several smaller telecoms consumer organisations. With increased and more secure government funding than its predecessors and headed by veteran consumer advocate, Allan Asher, it is shaping up to be powerful force in the industry.

It will shortly release a strategic plan consultation paper "Campaigning for Consumers in Communications" and has already released a wide ranging research report, Future Consumer, which has been one of the major inputs to the consultation paper.

The consultation paper proposes that ACCAN "will campaign for people in Australia using communications services for personal or small business purposes, with special emphasis on consumers for whom the market is not working and the public interest" and that it will "develop a set of consumer rights and responsibilities for the communications market in Australia, based on work done on human rights, consumer rights, digital rights and social inclusion."

One proposal on which input is sought is that "ACCAN will campaign for 'super complaint' powers, a legislative clause that will allow us to present evidence to the government of systematic failure in the market, and be entitled to a formal response from government."

ACCAN is proposing to focus on five key issues: making the market work for consumers; ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability; shaping the National Broadband Network; guarding security, privacy, and fair use; supporting responsible consumption.


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