Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I wanted to indicate the government’s support for amendments (1) and (2). The government supports these amendments. These amendments propose that the objects set out in 3(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997 be expanded to include availability of accessible and affordable carriage services that enhance the welfare of Australians. The inclusion of this objective will make clearer the importance the parliament places on the provision of accessible and affordable telecommunications which promote the welfare of Australians. It will enable specific economic welfare principles to be more easily and openly weighed against the other objects in the act, such as efficiency and international competitiveness. The amendment clarifies that affordability and accessibility of carriage services are important factors when considering long-term interests of end users.