Telecommunications consumer representation grants
Section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 gives the Minister provision to make grants of financial assistance to consumer bodies to support consumer representation in the telecommunications sector. The primary objectives of this program are:
- fostering community awareness of telecommunications issues affecting consumers
- representing consumers' interests in the development of government and industry policy relating to telecommunications
- facilitating discussion of and research into telecommunications issues of interest to consumers.
From 1 July 2009, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) will receive a significant portion of the available grant funding for its activities as the peak communications consumer body.
ACCAN will
- represent consumer interests, with sound policy positions underpinned by robust, evidence-based research
- establish Expert Advisory Committees comprising interested consumer groups to develop policy recommendations
- inform consumers via web resources and publications
- train volunteer consumer advocates to engage the broader community, including Indigenous and rural or remote communities
- participate in industry and government processes, including self-regulatory activities and government/industry inquiries/ and
- conduct conferences and workshops
Document ID: 3496 | Last modified: 1 December 2009, 2:38pm
