Conroy promises legislation to improve consumer protection

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 20 April 2010 15:20

IT Policy - Regulation

Communications minister, senator Stephen Conroy, has promised to amend the Telecommunications Act to improve consumer protection.

Consumer protection is largely via industry codes, developed by the industry but given the force of law by being registered with the ACMA.

Last year Conroy initiated a review into the way that telecommunications industry consumer codes are developed. He said today that the review had been completed and that, as part of the Government's response to the review, he would "amend the Telecommunications Act, to give the minister the authority to direct ACMA to develop an industry standard, where the minister considers it appropriate to do so."

Conroy explained that "Unlike a consumer code, a consumer protection standard will be developed by the regulator, who will need to balance the interests of consumers with those of the industry. It will be directly enforceable by the ACMA and therefore, it will be a more powerful and flexible instrument."

Failure to comply with an industry standard would be subject to civil penalty provisions. Corporations would be subject to penalties of up to $250,000 and individuals to penalties of up $50,000 for each contravention.

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