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Key stakeholders and legislation

Commonwealth agencies involved in Internet and broadband issues

Issues relating to the Internet and broadband come within the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

The Minister is supported by the Department  and the This link sends you off DCITA's websiteAustralian Government Information Management Office. They monitor industry developments, assist with the development and implementation of policy, and administer Commonwealth funding programs.

The Online and Communications Council provides a forum for Commonwealth, State/ Territory, and local governments to discuss communications policy issues and co-ordinate measures.

There are two main regulators relevant to the sector, the general competition and consumer regulator, the This link sends you off DCITA's websiteAustralian Competition and Consumer Commission and the telecommunications specific regulator, the This link sends you off DCITA's websiteAustralian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) which is also responsible for the regulation of Internet content.

Two industry bodies perform important regulatory functions. The This link sends you off DCITA's websiteCommunications Alliance promotes industry self-regulation, particularly through the development of industry codes and standards. The This link sends you off DCITA's websiteTelecommunications Industry Ombudsman provides a forum for the resolution of individual complaints.

This link sends you off DCITA's websiteStandards Australia focuses on technologies for businesses including developing technical and business standards and electronically distributing specialist business and technical publications. This link sends you off DCITA's websiteAu Domain oversees the allocation of Internet domain names in Australia. The This link sends you off DCITA's websiteTelephone Information Service Standards plays a self-regulatory role in relation to some content. The Internet Industry Association maintains a number of self-regulatory codes.

Commonwealth legislation relevant to Internet and broadband services

The Internet and broadband services are subject to a range of Commonwealth Acts: Telecommunications Act 1997; Trade Practices Act 1974 (particularly Parts XIB and XIC); Radiocommunications Act 1992; Broadcasting Services Act 1992; Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999; Broadcasting Services Act 1992 primarily Schedule 5; Interactive Gambling Act 2001. Information on relevant legislation is available here.

 

  • Document ID: 7368 |
  • Last modified: 6 February 2008, 1:53pm