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

I indicate that the government opposes this amendment. The objective of this amendment is already addressed in the bill, in the government’s view. Under the bill, an ‘in force’ functional separation undertaking is a condition of carrier licence—I refer you to clause 82 on page 70—with a range of remedies for a breach available, including for minor breaches, where court proceedings may be excessive. This amendment undermines those enforcement options by requiring the ACCC to seek an order in the Federal Court. Transparency is also provided by the reporting requirement in clause 51 on page 79 of the bill.

Question negatived.