1. Role of the Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts Australian Communication and Media Authority International Training Program Brian Kelleher Manager, Competition Policy 4 September 2006

2. Overview of presentation Institutional Arrangements Functions of the Department Operating environment, key issues and objectives Principles underlying regulation Telecommunications competition regulation

3. Communications, IT and Arts Portfolio MINISTERS Senator the Hon Helen Coonan Senator the Hon Rod Kemp (Minister’s Staff) Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Australian Broadcasting Corporation Special Broadcasting Service National Gallery of Australia Australian Sports Commission National Library of Australia Telstra National Museum of Australia Commonwealth Games - 2006

4. Functions of the Department Our vision - A better future for all Australians by the continued development of world class Australian communications, information technology, cultural and sports sectors. Our goal - To contribute to the development of telecommunications, broadcasting, information technology, cultural and sports sectors in Australia Our business – strategic advice, professional support, effective and efficient delivery of programs and services

5. Content Carriage Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) INDUSTRY BODIES WITH CO-REGULATORY FUNCTIONS Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) Communications Alliance MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ARTS Senator the Hon Helen Coonan POLICY ADVICE Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) OPERATORS USERS Free TV Australia (Commercial Television Industry Body) Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) Internet Industry Association (IIA) National Broadcasters Commercial Broadcasters Community Broadcasters Subscription Broadcasters Narrowcasters Carriers Telephone Service Providers Internet Service Providers Broadcast Transmission Providers Industry User GroupsConsumer Groups Regulation GOVERNMENT REGULATORS NET ALERT (Government owned Internet Community Advisory Body) Australian Subscription TV and Radio Association (ASTRA) Accountability INDUSTRY BODIES WITH CO-REGULATORY FUNCTIONS Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA)

6. OPERATING ENVIRONMENT Whole of Department challenges Communications and information economy challenges Communications objectives and strategy Information economy objectives and strategy

7. Principles underlying regulation Regulation should be independently and transparently administered and enforced. Regulations need to be responsive to consumer and community demands. Technological neutrality.

8. How do we regulate? Communications Industry Regulation Primary legislation (Government) Self-regulation (Industry) No regulation (free market) Co-regulation (Government and Industry)

9. Getting the balance right Competition Self regulation Targeted funding Consumer safeguards Consumer Awareness

10. Telecommunications policy and regulation Objective of telecommunications policy Role of competition and key elements of the regime Underlying policy principles

11. Where to from here? Regulatory objectives and philosophy are sound. Valid differences still exist between media and telecommunications services. Evolutionary reforms.