House debates

Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Bills

Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Service Reform) Bill 2011; Consideration of Senate Message

5:29 pm

Photo of Anthony AlbaneseAnthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | | Hansard source

I move:

That the amendment be agreed to.

The government considers that this amendment will facilitate TUSMA's achievement of its public interest telecommunications policy objectives. The amendment will allow for the flow of relevant information to TUSMA as the statutory agency with responsibility for entering into and managing contacts and grants for universal service and other public interest telecommunications outcomes. This amendment achieves this by permitting industry participants such as carriers and service providers to disclose information or documents to TUSMA where this would assist TUSMA in carrying out its contract and grant related functions and powers. The amendment mirrors existing provisions in part 13 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 that currently provide for disclosure of information to the ACMA, the ACCC and the TIO to enable those entities to carry out their functions or powers. I commend the Senate amendment to the House.

Photo of Kirsten LivermoreKirsten Livermore (Capricornia, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The question is that the amendment be agreed to.

Question agreed to.