Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Proposed amendments to Competition and Consumer Safeguards Bill released
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today released amendments to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2009.
The proposed amendments provide the legislative certainty that both industry and Telstra require in the transition to this fundamental reform of the telecommunications sector.
Further to Telstra’s commitment to de-commission its copper network under the Heads of Agreement with NBN Co, the amendments establish clear mechanisms for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to consider an enforceable undertaking from Telstra to structurally separate.
The amendments will provide greater clarity around the undertaking process and will allow for Telstra to seek approval from its shareholders on a firm proposal to migrate its fixed-line customers to the National Broadband Network (NBN).
The amendments also provide a mechanism to improve the current equivalence and transparency measures while the NBN is rolled out and for Telstra to set out how it will migrate customers to the NBN. This migration plan will be considered by the ACCC and will be the subject of industry consultation.
These amendments address a number of the key issues that have been raised with the Government since the Bill was introduced in September 2009. The Government is considering other issues raised in relation to the Bill and whether further amendments will be necessary.
The Bill strengthens consumer protections and reforms the telecommunications regulatory landscape to generate more competition, encourage better services and lower prices in the interests of consumers, business and the economy more broadly.
The Government urges all parties to support the passage of the Bill.
The amendments and explanatory notes can be found on the Department’s website:
http://www.dbcde.gov.au/telecommunications_regulatory_reform
Date: 23 June 2010
Contact: Suzie Brady 0408 258 457
