ACMA under review

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is under review by the Government.

With AMCA being around since 2005, the communications landscape has changed dramatically and the review is aimed at ensuring that the regulator is able to deal with the challenges arising from the rapid changes in the sector.

ACMA, doesn’t just cover radio regulations but all broadcasting, internet, communications and telecommunications.

Through the Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull, the Government says it “considers it timely to review ACMA to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose for both the contemporary and future communications regulatory environment.”

The review will consider the current communications sector and the evolving shape of the digital media and communications environment and how the role of the communications regulator should adapt to these over time. The review will make recommendations to the Minister for Communications on the future objectives, functions, structure, governance and resource base of the communications regulator.

You can download the full review scope and terms of reference here, below is a summary of the arrears they will consider:

• Objectives and functions – this will consider the ACMA Act to determine whether the wide ranging objectives and functions of the ACMA remain relevant now and for the immediate future and are most efficiently located with the regulator.
• Structure and governance – this will look at the current Authority and governance arrangements to consider whether they are fit-for-purpose for the future and provide appropriate accountability to the Minister and the Parliament.
• Regulator Performance – this will assess the ACMA’s performance in administering regulation through a consistent, transparent and risk-based approach that minimises costs to industry.
• Resourcing – this will review current resourcing from government and recovered from industry.

The review will be undertaken by the Department of Communications, supported by a reference group of Australian and international communications and regulatory experts