Summary
Responds to recommendations of the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry Report of 2002 by amending the: Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 to provide a framework for future, regular independent reviews and reports of the adequacy of regional telecommunications services; Telecommunications Act 1997 to clarify that any licence condition requiring Telstra to maintain a local presence in regional, rural or remote parts of Australia may empower the minister or the Australian Communications Authority to make decisions of an administrative character; and Telstra Corporation Act 1991 to require at least two directors of Telstra to have knowledge of or experience of rural or remote as well as regional areas of Australia. Also makes amendments to the Telecommunications Act 1997 and Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 consequential on the establishment of the Australian Communications and Media Authority.