AMTA has welcomed the appointment of Senator Nick Minchin as the new Shadow Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, said the appointment this week of such a senior Opposition frontbencher to the Communications portfolio underlined the importance of the industry in driving economic growth, boosting national productivity and developing our digital economy.

“We are very much looking forward to working with Senator Minchin on key issues affecting the mobile telecommunications industry, which is not only a direct contributor to the economy but plays a pivotal role as an enabling technology across all facets of the economy,” he said.

Senator Minchin said he was keen to represent the needs of Australians, particularly the telecommunications’ needs of those living in regional and rural areas.

“Quality of telecommunications services will continue to be a big issue for people in the bush.

Senator Minchin, the former Shadow Defence Minister, nominated funding of the ABC and SBS ; cyber safety; and interactive gambling as priority areas for his attention.

“My general approach will be to support freedom of choice for consumers and industry. Where regulation is appropriate, it should be light-handed and only put in place where the benefits of regulation exceed the costs,” he said.

AMTA also acknowledges the efforts of outgoing Shadow Minister Bruce Billson, who was effective and always available to hear from our industry.