Changing the Nature of Activism

CLC NSW State Conference 10 May 2012 Teresa Corbin Chief Executive Officer

About ACCAN ACCAN is the national peak body representing all consumers on communications issues including telecommunications, broadband and emerging services.

Members – a strong campaign base 170+ members – individuals and organisations including disability advocacy groups, regional associations, community legal centres, farmers federations, parents groups, pensioners Welcome new members

SMART campaigning Specific: A clear campaign aim Measureable: We will know when we’ve achieved this aim Action focused: Our members and supporters will contribute Realistic: We’ve done the research – our ask is possible Time-bound: Clear timelines and a sense of urgency

Case study – 18/1300 call costs The problem: 1800/1300/13 calls are free or 30 cents from a landline. From a mobile phone they can cost between 22 cents and $1.78 per minute. 17% of Australians only have a mobile phone. They are more likely to be low-income earners, renters, young people or reliant on government assistance. The poorest Australians are paying the most to contact government and essential services.

2010: The super-complaint ACCAN, Financial Counselling Australia (then AFCCRA) and the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) lodge ‘super-complaint’ to the communications regulator. Coalition maximised media message.

2011: Where to now? We needed a hero. So we made one. Number Woman, our campaign champion, was launched in May 2011 demanding Fair Calls For All Over 70 organisations sign on as official campaign supporters including NACLC, National Union of Students and Country Women’s Association.

Communicating complex messages Making it real – using stories from our supporters to explain why this issue is important. Complex technical information available in a simple brochure – useful for talking to politicians. Targeting new supporters each week by making it relevant to them (even sea creatures need Fair Calls!)

A turning point October 2011: As a result of ongoing lobbying, the regulator proposes to alter the “Numbering Plan” which would result in free 1800 and low-cost 13/1300 calls from mobiles – campaign victory in sight. ACCAN needed to make sure this change happened. Harnessing existing supporter base, over 1000 submissions were made supporting this change.

Victory! Fair Calls For All are on the way 24 th April confirmation! The ACMA will regulate, with changes planned to go through 1 January 2015 This means that all 291,000 18/1300 numbers will be affordable to call for all Australians

Recognising achievements 1800 and 13/1300 numbers will soon be available at a fair rate for all Australians. This change is the result of contributions from many organisations. We’d like you to join us in the ACCAN offices to celebrate this important achievement for all consumers. When: 5 th June, 3 – 4.30pm Where: ACCAN Offices (Level 4, 55 Mountain St, Ultimo, Sydney) RSVP:

Questions?

Contact Details: ACCAN Campaigns Erin Turner – Policy and Campaigns Officer Telephone Number: Website: