29 June 2012: The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced the inaugural members of the Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency (TUSMA), a new Commonwealth statutory agency that will ensure basic telecommunications services are available to all Australians.
Mr Peter Harris, Secretary of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, will serve as acting Chair for three months. There will be an announcement about a permanent appointment in due course.
The other members of TUSMA are Mr Cameron O’Reilly and Ms Rosemary Sinclair (appointed for four years); and Mr Keith Gomes, Ms Nicole Rich, and Ms Desley Boyle (appointed for three years).
TUSMA was established to administer the delivery of a range of important telecommunications safeguards, including the Universal Service Obligation. TUSMA will ensure that:
- All Australians have reasonable access to a standard telephone service;
- Payphones are reasonably accessible to all Australians;
- The Emergency Call Service by Telstra and the National Relay Service continues;
- Untimed local calls in extended zones are provided for; and
- Appropriate safety net arrangements are in place to support the transition from copper-based services to the NBN.
Full story here.