Media Release

Truss clueless on regional communications

Nationals leader Warren Truss fails to understand current laws to protect regional communications consumers.

"Warren Truss champions current laws, implemented by the Howard Government, that allow Telstra to write its own standards for the Universal Service Obligation (USO)," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said.

"The historic reforms opposed by Mr Truss mean that Government sets the standards in favour of consumers, with tougher benchmarks and civil penalties if Telstra fails to meet its obligations."

"Warren Truss claims to be sticking up for regional Australia. In fact, he is supporting a regime that puts consumers at the whim of Telstra."

"I am happy to offer Mr Truss a departmental briefing on the operation of the USO so that he does not continue to mislead his National Party colleagues and the people of regional Australia."

"For too long regional Australia has suffered sub-standard communications service and competition."

"The Government is taking action to address these issues once and for all and ensure consumers and businesses in regional Australia can access the higher level of communications services they deserve."

"These vital reforms enshrine in law a much tougher USO, ensuring that Telstra meets specified connection, repair, reliability and performance benchmarks set by Government. Failure to meet these requirements will expose Telstra to a civil penalty of up to $10 million."

Date: 22 October 2009
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457

Improved consumer protections for all Australians

The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2009 contains a wide range of improved communications consumer protections.

Universal Service Obligation (USO)

• Requires Telstra to meet specified connection, repair, reliability and performance benchmarks set by Government.
• Penalty of up to $10 million if Telstra fails to meet requirements.

Payphones

• Tougher rules and appeals processes to reduce payphone removals.
• Civil penalties or on-the-spot fines if Telstra does not comply.

Customer Service Guarantee (CSG)

• New minimum performance benchmarks to be on time or better with connections and repairs.
• Enforced by fines and penalties.

Priority Assistance (PA)

• Better access to Priority Assistance services for people diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions.

Effective Enforcement of Consumer Safeguards and Fines

• Increased powers for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to issue of on-the-spot fines instead of court procedures.
• $1320 for individuals.
• $6600 for corporations.
• Provisions for a higher fine of up to $1.98 million for corporations.