Government endorses ACMA review

Following a review of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) by the Dept of Communications and the Arts, the Communications Alliance has called on the government to implement its recommendations as quickly as possible.

Communications Alliance CEO, John Stanton, said he welcomed the government’s endorsement of the 27 recommendations of the review, which was initiated in June 2015.

“Moves to strengthen the Authority through more full-time members provide for the Deputy-Chair to take on more of a CEO-like role, set clearer objectives for the regulator and press for greater self-regulation are all positive steps,” said Stanton.

“But government should move expeditiously to put new arrangements in place, given the long period of organisational ‘limbo’ within which the ACMA has had to operate.”

It is almost two years since the review was announced and almost one year since the recommendations were published.

“During the past 12 months the ACMA has operated in a very uncertain climate, which has put stress on the organisation in a rapidly changing environment,” said Stanton.

He praised ACMA staff including acting chair Richard Bean and Authority member James Cameron for their leadership during this period.

“In fact, the ACMA has already begun a culture shift — becoming more timely in its decision-making, more pragmatic and responsive in its dealings with industry during the past year or so — and that is very welcome.”

Many of the review recommendations were in line with submissions put forward by industry.

“Having a broader group of Authority members with specific skill sets, and less reliance on part-time members, should bolster the Authority’s ability to cope with an ever-broadening set of challenges,” said Stanton.

“The Internet of Things (IoT), for example, is a massive game changer for the landscape that the ACMA is charged with regulating — having deep expertise in areas such as IoT, over-the-top applications and artificial intelligence will be vital to enable the regulator to navigate the new environment.

“This is even more important in light of the government’s acceptance of the recommendation to continue reform with the aim of establishing a new, contemporary, fit-for-purpose telecommunications regulatory framework — a daunting but essential task to which industry stands ready to contribute constructively.”

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Skip ODonnell

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