Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Telecommunications (Industry Levy) Amendment Bill 2014 (the Bill) makes consequential and transitional amendments to the Telecommunications (Industry Levy) Act 2012 to move the assessment, collection and recovery of the Telecommunications Industry Levy from the Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency Act 2012 to the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.

These amendments are necessary to ensure an industry levy will continue to be collected when the Telecommunication Universal Service Agency (TUSMA) is abolished and its functions transferred to the Department of Communications.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority will continue to collect this levy from telecommunications carriers who earn $25 million or more in an eligible revenue period.

This industry levy contributes to meeting the cost of delivery several public interest telecommunications services including:

Transferring TUSMA's functions and responsibilities to the department will help ease the cost burden on business by modestly reducing the amount of the Telecommunications Industry Levy.

By clearly delineating policy and regulatory responsibilities—and making administrative savings which will result in a modest levy reduction—these changes within the Communications portfolio are making a positive contribution to the government's program of cutting red tape and streamlining public services.

Debate adjourned.