The Australian Communications and Media Authority announced today that four new members have joined its Communications Consumer Consultative Forum (CCF), effective immediately.

They are Julian Thomas, Professor of Media and Communications at Swinburne University of Technology; Alex Varley, Chief Executive of Media Access Australia; Sarina Jan from Western Australia, advising on remote and indigenous communications; and Holly Raiche, Executive Director of the Internet Society of Australia.

‘The CCF is a very important part of ACMA’s approach to consumer consultation and provides a structured opportunity for consumer representatives to raise and discuss issues with senior representatives of industry, regulators and policy-makers,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

‘The new members bring various complementary skills to the Forum,’ which is consistent with the decision ACMA made in 2006 to select representatives for comparatively limited time periods to keep the Forum relevant with the refreshment of perspectives.’

Mr Chapman said Professor Thomas brings a strong research base and background in social policy relevant to communications, while Mr Varley has a proven track record in collaborating with industry to deliver outcomes in the field of captioning. We look forward to using Mr Varley’s skills and approach to boost outcomes for people with disabilities.

‘Ms Jan provides us with extensive expertise in dealings between government and remote and indigenous communications consumers, while Ms Raiche will give the Forum a broad-based perspective of internet users.’

The new consumer representatives join four existing consumer representatives. The Forum is chaired by ACMA’s Deputy Chair and meets three times a year. The next Forum is due to be held 23 July.

‘I warmly congratulate the successful appointees and thank all who expressed an interest in being considered for appointment. I would also like to thank departing members Mark Needham, Gunela Astbrink and acknowledge the late Maureen le Blanc for their contributions to the Forum,’ Mr Chapman said.

Existing members are Teresa Corbin, Executive Director, Consumers Telecommunications Network; Myra Pincott, former National President, Country Women’s Association; Gordon Renouf, General Manager, Policy and Campaigns, Choice; and Rosemary Sinclair, Managing Director, Australian Telecommunications Users Group.

The Forum includes three representatives from industry bodies involved in self-regulation: Chris Althaus, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association; Anne Hurley, Chief Executive Officer, Communications Alliance; and Peter Coroneos, Executive Director, Internet Industry Association.

It also involves representatives of regulators and policy-makers, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Deputy Chair, Louise Sylvan; the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, Deirdre O’Donnell as well as Keith Besgrove, First Assistant Secretary from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.