Issue No 16: 18 July 2023

ACOMM 2023 Awards - Book your seats!

The awards will be presented at the 17th Annual ACOMMS Dinner to be held on 27th July 2023 at the Hilton, Sydney.  BOOK YOUR SEATS HERE: https://acomms.com.au/2023/register/

The McPhail Family Fundraiser

Join us in supporting the McPhail Family Fundraiser, hosted by Communications Alliance during this year's ACOMM Awards Night.

The late Tim McPhail was a significant figure in the industry, a good friend and source of advice to many and was known for his invaluable contributions to the creation of good regulatory solutions and positive outcomes for consumers.

The funds raised will help the family cover the expenses related to child needs and focus on rebuilding and providing physical, mental, and emotional support during this difficult chapter.

As a tribute to his legacy, industry players have generously donated fantastic prizes:

• VIP Cricket Experience – a luxury VIP Box at the SCG New Year Test from TPG Telecom
• Luxury Escape Holiday Package from Aussie Broadband
• Spirits Tasting tour hosted by the Minister for Communications, the Hon. Michelle Rowland MP
• Exclusive Sports Memorabilia (including a signed pair of Usain Bolt’s track shoes!)  from Optus
• Kim’s Beachside Retreat holiday package in Toowoon Bay, from Communications Alliance

Raffle tickets can be purchased on the night for $20 each, or you can opt for a book of 10 tickets at only $150. The winners will be announced on the same night.

The ACOMMs Award Dinner has a proud history during the past decade of showing the industry’s willingness to dig deep in support of worthy recipients.

Let's join forces to support this meaningful cause.

Financial Hardship Standard

Communications Alliance (CA) is assessing the impact of the recent decision by the Minister’s for Communications, the Hon. Michelle Rowland, to direct the ACMA to create a standard to replace the financial hardship protections present provided under the Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code.

Comms Alliance CEO, John Stanton, said industry would look at what the decision means for the work that CA members have put into the current revision of the Code during recent months and whether it is possible to achieve the new, much shorter code revision timeline imposed by the ACMA, in circumstances where industry did not yet know what will be in the planned financial hardship Standard.”

“In the interim, it’s worth understanding that there are numerous ways that customers under financial strain can receive assistance to manage their telco bill outside of the formal hardship measures. These include options to assist with payment difficulties both in the short- and long-term: rate plan changes, moving to more affordable plans or pre-paid services, deferred payment options, to name but a few.

“Although not measured, we know that thousands of customers are taking advantage of these options, over and above those customers who are in formal financial hardship programs with their service providers.

“Customers regularly also reap the benefits of the highly competitive Australian telco marketplace, swapping to plans that better suit their changing usage and budgetary needs.”

New Member

Communications Alliance is pleased to welcome the following new member:

Current Consultations

Below is a list of currently open telecommunications-related consultations being conducted by Government and other organisations that provide an opportunity for you to have your say.