033/05
11 April 2005

Public Comment Sought on Telecoms Regulatory Reform

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today released a discussion paper outlining possible options for telecommunications competition regulatory reform.

"I announced in December last year that I would examine options for telecommunications regulatory reform and the discussion paper outlines issues under consideration," Senator Coonan said.

"Examining these issues is key to ensuring there is effective competition and future investment in telecommunications in Australia over the next five to ten years.

"It is important there is an opportunity for the telecommunications industry, consumers and other interested parties to have their say on what changes to the telecommunications competition regime in these areas may be appropriate or desirable.

"The issues and options for change raised in the paper are for discussion purposes only. They do not indicate any preference by the Government for any particular option or course of action.

"Submissions made to the Department will be considered by the Government before a decision is taken about what changes will be made to the telecommunications competition regime."

Interested parties can lodge submissions by close of business on 5 May 2005 with the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

The issues paper is available here.

Copies of the issues paper can also be obtained by calling (02) 6271 1213.