Telecommunications regulatory reporting review

The Australian Government has commenced a review of telecommunications regulatory reporting with a view to identifying opportunities to streamline reporting and remove redundant or unnecessary industry reporting requirements, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, said today.

The Government is also examining the industry’s regulatory reporting requirements to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The review was a recommendation of the Taskforce on Reducing the Regulatory Burdens on Business (the Banks Report).

“The full range of regulatory reporting obligations on the industry, including Telstra as well as other carriers, is being examined,” Senator Coonan said.

“Regulation is sometimes an inevitable part of achieving important Government policy objectives, particularly where there are competing social and economic interests, but the more we can do to reduce the burden of unnecessary red tape the better.

“The Taskforce has been a significant, worthwhile and timely initiative on the part of Government.

“I have already asked ACMA and the ACCC to examine and report to the Government on opportunities for rationalisation or reduction of regulatory reporting requirements by the industry.

“I have requested a report from both regulators when a comprehensive assessment has been undertaken outlining any recommendations for regulatory change identified.

“I am confident that this process will identify opportunities to reduce the reporting requirements on the industry, consistent with maintaining an effective flow of necessary information to the regulators.

“Even at this early stage, ACMA has advised that it has recently reviewed and substantially reduced reporting requirements under Section 105 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.”

Two other recommendations from the Banks Report relate directly to regulatory matters within my portfolio.

“In response to Recommendation 5.59, I have announced a review into the policies and regulations that underpin the operation of the .au Internet domain,” Senator Coonan said.

“The .au domain has been operating under industry self-regulation for five and a half years. In that time, the Internet has grown significantly in both economic and social importance to Australians.”

“As with any industry self-regulation, I feel it is now appropriate to conduct a review to ensure policy goals continue to be met and that the .au domain continues to be administered efficiently, effectively and in the best interests of all Australian Internet users,” Senator Coonan said.

“In response to Recommendation 4.45, the Government will request ACMA to consult with carriage service providers on the application of the Customer Service Guarantee (CSG) as it relates to enhanced call-handling features, and report back by 30 November 2006.

“This will build on reviews of the CSG in 2001–02 and 2004, and will ensure that the CSG remains relevant to the ever changing telecommunications environment in Australia.”