[LINK] ACCAN: 'ACMA rejects ‘deficient' protections code – for now'

[Roger Clarke]

ACMA rejects ‘deficient' protections code – for now
Message from the CEO of ACCAN
24 October 2025
https://www.accan.org.au/accan-s-media-releases/acma-rejects-deficient-protections-code-for-now

In major news this morning, sector regulator the Australian 
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced that it is 
rejecting the draft Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code 
and instead providing the Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA) 
with a minimum 30-day response period to address weaknesses in the Code.

Simply put, this is an excellent step forward for Australian 
communications consumers, who have for too long had ‘protections’ 
provided through a self-regulated Code which has abjectly failed to 
provide appropriate community safeguards.

ACCAN has led the Fair Call Coalition since March 2025, when it became 
apparent that the draft Code developed by the ATA, after many rounds of 
feedback, would fail to meet appropriate community safeguards. We joined 
22 other consumer groups who have backed this call which has been 
championed by the Consumer Action Law Centre.

In a statement this morning, I said that this decision opens the door to 
advancing stronger consumer protections through direct regulation by the 
ACMA or the Minister for Communications, once industry has had the 
opportunity to respond to notice of deficiency. We and the Fair Call 
Coalition will have more to say on this matter in coming days and weeks.

Also this week, Australians learned that tens of thousands of people may 
be unable to reach Triple Zero if their mobile network goes down. The 
issue is linked to a ‘camp-on’ fault affecting customers that use older 
Samsung devices, which fail to connect to the TPG network to access 
Triple Zero when it is the only available network. While some pre-2021 
Samsung phones will need to be updated to the latest software, some 
older devices must be replaced.

As I told 10 News, ABC News Breakfast and ABC Radio, and ABC consumer 
affairs reporter Michael Atkin, who has been providing excellent 
coverage of this evolving story, we need a systemic, technical and 
independent review of the Triple Zero ecosystem.

ACCAN is keen to stress that consumers who have been contacted by their 
provider about updating or replacing their phone, should act immediately 
to ensure they can reach Triple Zero in an emergency. Financial help is 
available - ask your telco about hardship and payment assistance options.

ACCAN has also released a position paper on the renewal of expiring 
spectrum licences. Spectrum is a valuable public asset, and its 
allocation must deliver benefits to the public. We are calling for 
competitive auctions, or at minimum, legally binding commitments from 
telcos to pass any renewal discounts on to consumers through lower 
prices or new investment. Without such commitments, discounted spectrum 
risks providing industry windfall profits at the expense of taxpayers.

You can hear more about this issue at ACCAN’s upcoming Spectrum 
Management Forum on 7 November.

I’ll also be joining the International Institute of Communications for a 
panel event on 11 November about the new Scams Prevention Framework. I 
hope to see many of you there as we continue to work to reduce the 
impact of scams in our communities.

This week is Get Online Week, an important reminder that digital skills 
are essential for everyone. Whether it’s learning how to spot scams, 
manage data, or use online services safely, these skills help ensure no 
one is left behind in our connected world.

Finally, a note of thanks to all members who joined us on Wednesday for 
ACCAN’s Annual General Meeting. I look forward to working with three new 
Directors, Amber Marshall, Ron Ben-David and Tess Matthews. I am 
delighted that Vince Humpries and Delia Rickard have been re-appointed 
as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson respectively.

Read on for more consumer news and views.

Carol Bennett
CEO


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Roger Clarke                            mailto:Roger.Clarke at xamax.com.au
T: +61 2 6288 6916   http://www.xamax.com.au  http://www.rogerclarke.com

Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd      78 Sidaway St, Chapman ACT 2611 AUSTRALIA 

Visiting Professorial Fellow                          UNSW Law & Justice
Visiting Professor in Computer Science    Australian National University