Comms industry forum signals renewed focus on compliance

Paul Walsh will be filling in the newly created position of compliance manager and will promote member compliance with ACIF codes and standards across the industry in Australia.

Anne Hurley, chief executive officer ACIF, said that with the telecommunications industry growing at a fast pace, there was a need for more specialised codes and standards.

"To compliment this, ACIF has created the position of compliance manager to focus on code compliance and promote the benefits compliance brings to all parties, be they industry, consumers or government," she said.

Walsh will work in consultation with agencies such as the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO), to promote compliance with ACIF's codes across the telecommunications industry.

A key focus will be assisting industry members in the implementation of the Consumer Contracts Code, which is expected to be finalised soon.

The Consumer Contracts Code will address the intelligibility and fairness of contracts for mobile, home and small business phone services as well as Internet services.

Walsh previously worked as Channel Ten's regulatory manager for four years. He managed the network's compliance with the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice, and represented Channel Ten on Free TV Australia's major review of the code last year.

Prior to this, Walsh worked in broadcasting policy with the Department of Communications, IT and the Arts (DCITA).