8 May 2007
Consumers to benefit from increased support for the communications regulator
The Australian Government will provide an additional $16.3 million over four years for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), bringing the total funding for ACMA to more than $360 million over four years.
ACMA is the communications regulator formed on 1 July 2005 from the merger of the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) and the Australian Communications Authority (ACA).
“This additional funding will ensure that ACMA is adequately resourced to carry out its vital role as the regulator in the increasingly complex and converged communications environment,” the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan said.
The Government’s decision on ACMA funding follows a comprehensive review of current and future funding requirements as well as an examination of ACMA’s current and likely future activities.
The review found that, while there had been significant efficiencies gained through the merger of the ABA and the ACA, the expansion of the communications sector and the development of new communications services and technologies has led to increased activity in the sector and growing consumer and industry expectations of the regulator.
“The additional funding will allow ACMA to deliver effective regulation of the communications industry, planning and licensing of communications services, ensure the provision of community standards and safeguards which reflect broad community expectations and provide community information to enable informed decisions about communications products and services, ” Senator Coonan said.
A key component of the additional funding will be for ACMA to improve the efficiency of its service delivery and internal processes through a comprehensive upgrade of its information technology systems.
Supporting Information
Consumers to benefit from increased support for the communications regulator
Why is this important?
- Additional funding is required to ensure that ACMA is appropriately and sustainably resourced to carry out its role as the communications regulator and to administer regulation to the standard required by Government.
- ACMA is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radiocommunications, telecommunications and on-line content in accordance with relevant legislation. ACMA’s key activities include licensing of telecommunications carriers, anti-spam responses, ensuring compliance with cross-media rules, management of radiofrequency spectrum and enforcement of consumer safeguards.
- An appropriately funded communications regulator will underpin efficient development of the communications industry.
Who will benefit?
- Consumers of communications services, communications industry, economy-wide productivity benefits.
What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?
- The Government will provide $16.3 million over 4 years.
- This includes additional funding to upgrade ACMA’s key Information Technology and Business systems. This upgrade is an important component in developing the common infrastructure, business process and systems needed to enable ACMA to operate as a single merged organisation. It will also ensure the continued effective and efficient planning and licensing of communications services for Australia’s first converged communications regulator.
What have we done in the past?
- ACMA previously received the combined funding of the ACA and ABA, which was $79.5 million in 2006-07.
When will the initiative conclude?
The four year funding cycle will conclude on 30 June 2011.Media Contact: Fiona Telford - 02 6277 7480