Australia: Australian Communications and Media Authority review

On 22 May 2017, the Department of Communications and the Arts published the final report on its review of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The review examined whether the ACMA remains "fit-for-purpose" in a sector that has changed radically since the regulator was established in 2005. The report concludes that while the ACMA has generally performed its role well, its responsibilities, proper functions and objectives are increasingly unclear in an evolving media and communications environment. The report makes a number of recommendations that are designed to ensure the ACMA can respond effectively to new challenges and opportunities. These include:  expanding the ACMA's remit to cover all "layers" of the communications market, including infrastructure, transport, devices, content and applications;  the ACMA undertaking a range of measures to improve its timeliness and transparency, including reporting on steps taken to improve the transparency and consistency of its decision-making processes;  transferring the ACMA's cybersecurity programs to the Attorney-General's Department;  determining whether certain ACMA functions, including action related to unsolicited communications and maintenance of the Do Not Call Register, could be referred to industry for self-regulation; and  strengthening cross-appointment arrangements between the ACMA and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to benefit decision-making by both authorities. The ACMA will review the report and develop a program to implement each recommendation. The report is available here. The ACMA's media release is available here. The Minister's media release is available here.