QUESTIONS ON NOTICE › Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Question No. 2235)
Senator Conroy: The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows: Responses are outlined below from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and agencies under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and Commonwealth authorities under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. In relation to part (2) of the question this is only applicable to the Department, and the Australian Communications and Media Authority, with regulatory responsibilities. Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (1) Yes. (a-b) The Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) collects information from stakeholders and the broader community in relation to a broad range of matters. Details of the Department's programs and links to its funding programs/consultations and submissions are available via the Department's Information Publication Scheme on its website http://www.dbcde.gov.au/about_us/information_publication_scheme_ips The Department also provides its Personal Information Digest to the Australian Information Commissioner each year (as required under the Privacy Act 1988), listing personal information holdings. (c-d) Where forms (online/paper) are used to collect information, the forms do not request an estimate of time taken to complete. Forms are designed to only collect the data necessary, for example, to enable an assessment of a grant application. In the main, data is not collected on how long it takes to complete forms. However, it is noted that the Digital Switchover Taskforce collects information via the Digital Tracker telephone survey. Verbal responses to this survey are entered into a computer system and respondents are advised of the approximate duration of the survey (less than 15 minutes depending on the length of the respondent's answers). (2) (a-b) Details relating to Regulatory initiatives since 2010 are outlined in the Department's Regulatory Plans 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, all available on the Department's website at http://www.dbcde.gov.au/about_us/reporting_requirements_and_reviews/departmental_regulatory_plan/archived_departmental_annual_regulatory_plans Consultation opportunities are identified for planned regulatory activities in the Regulatory Plan. The Department complies with the Australian Government's regulatory impact analysis requirements administered by the Office of Best Practice Regulation. No formal complaints are on record with our central complaints manager as having been lodged about any consultation processes relating to regulatory initiatives. However, it is sometimes the case that there may be dissatisfaction with the consultation process expressed as part of the stakeholder's submission to a review or inquiry. These are dealt with as part of the review or inquiry process. Australian Communications and Media Authority (1) Yes. Information is collected in multiple ways and in multiple forms. Much of the information the ACMA receives is provided voluntarily by citizens, consumers, industry groups, industry participants and so on. (a) Where the ACMA seeks to collect information a form is often provided for that purpose. The ACMA website provides a comprehensive online list of forms which can be downloaded or completed on-line (www.acma.gov.au). (b) As per above, these forms are provided online: i. All forms are available for download ii. A number of these forms are able to be completed and submitted online iii. All forms, since all of the electronic forms may be downloaded and printed. (c) No. There is no such requirement for Commonwealth Government forms, however, the ACMA sometimes collects information on time taken to complete specific forms, such as through industry surveys or on the forms themselves, e.g. where a form is being released for the first time to meet a requirement of new legislation. (d) No. (2) (a) The ACMA engages in full consultation in relation to all significant regulatory initiatives which it proposes, in line with legislative obligations contained in the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 and in the various pieces of legislation administered by the ACMA, and as required by the Australian Government's regulatory impact analysis requirements administered by the Office of Best Practice Regulation. Each such regulatory initiative therefore involves at least one consultation process. Within that consultation process there may be a large number of elements of various forms, tailored to the nature of the issue under consideration. Those elements of the consultation process may include one or more discussion papers, conferences, public hearings, one-on-one meetings with particular stakeholders, seminars, webinars, research activities and so on. (b) It is sometimes the case that some persons may be dissatisfied with the process or outcomes of a consultation. Responses to consultation in relation to regulatory proposals are addressed in Regulation Impact Statements (RISs). These are prepared to inform decisions that are likely to have a regulatory impact on business or the not-for-profit sector that is not of a minor or machinery nature and do not substantially alter existing arrangements. Each RIS is a publicly available document which is available from the Department of Finance and Deregulation's website (www.ris.finance.gov.au). Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1) The ABC collects information from the community for a range of purposes related to the performance of its Charter obligations. The ABC collects personal information (within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988), and information about stakeholder and community attitudes (for instance, comments and feedback). The ABC assumes that the question is not directed at information that is collected for content purposes, for instance, by a journalist in the preparation of program material. Details of the manner in which personal information is collected by the ABC is set out in the ABC Privacy Policy. (a-b) The ways in which the ABC collects information from stakeholders and the community include the following: Electronic forms. For instance, the ABC's general online feedback form, where the public can leave comments, make complaints, ask questions or seek information. Information is also collected through the ABC's online Reception Assistance Feedback form. Paper-based forms. These are used primarily as an alternative for individuals who do not have access to, or prefer not to use, electronic forms. For instance, the ABC has a paper-based application form to join the ABC Shop VIP loyalty program. Telephone. Feedback is received via the ABC's general feedback phone line and Divisional contact phone numbers (listed on the ABC's corporate website). Feedback is received via phone by ABC program and content areas, radio stations and television channels. The ABC also collects information from callers to its Reception Advice Line. Online message boards/forums and guestbooks. Feedback and contributions are posted online using message boards/forums and guestbooks. The ABC has a range of message boards and guestbooks connected to its content and programs, including, for example, ABC TV programs, triple j, iview, ABC Science, ABC Ramp Up, ACB3, ABC News & Current Affairs, arts & culture, religion & ethics, rural, science & nature, lifestyle, music, etc. Social media. Feedback and contributions are posted on the ABC's facebook pages. The ABC has over 150 official facebook pages covering ABC programs and content areas such as triple j, triple j unearthed, ABC News, ABC TV, ABC Radio National, ABC Technology and Games, Radio National Drive, ABC Local Radio stations and ABC iview. The ABC also collects information regarding users' interactions with ABC facebook programs to send content suggestions. Feedback is received through official ABC twitter accounts. The ABC has over 200 official twitter accounts. Information is also collected when audience members interact with the ABC's accounts on other aggregation and social media services, including Flickr, YouTube, Soundcloud, tumblr, Pinterest and Google+. Online tracking. Information is collected about users visiting and interacting with the ABC's online platforms. The information collected relates to a user's browsing habits and is used by the ABC to tailor content promotions to a user's preferences. Websites. Comments can be made on the ABC's interactive opinion and analysis site The Drum. Community information is submitted to any of the 54 ABC Local websites (users can contribute information about upcoming local events and can contribute photos and other media).Information and media contributed to ABC Open. Forums. Feedback is collected through Community Forums held regularly around Australia. The ABC Advisory Council provides an avenue for members of the community to provide feedback to the ABC. Written correspondence. Stakeholders and members of the community provide comments and feedback by writing letters to the ABC. (c) Any forms that require completion do not require an estimate of the time taken to complete as this information is not required for our purposes. (d) Not applicable. Special Broadcasting Service (1) (a-b) SBS provides the following information in its Personal Information Digest to the Australian Information Commissioner each year (as required under the Privacy Act 1988). The 'classes' of information SBS collects relevant to this query are as follows: Audio And Language Content Consultation Records The purpose of these records is to record and process feedback from internal and external stakeholders on the selection criteria for the SBS Radio schedule review. Audio And Language Content Feedback Records The purpose of these records is to record and process public feedback in relation to SBS Radio content. Audience Correspondence Records The purpose of these records is to process and respond to audience comments and requests for information. The Exchange Register The purpose of these records is to maintain a register of SBS viewers, listeners and website users for the purpose of market research. In respect of information the SBS collect from stakeholders (refer to the SBS Personal Information Digest for more information). (c) No. Not relevant as SBS does not collect information on a consistent and ongoing basis. (d) Not applicable. Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency (1) The Telecommunications Universal Service Management Agency (TUSMA) was recently established on 1 July 2012. Since its establishment, no information has been collected from stakeholders and the broader community. Australia Post (1) Australia Post regularly seeks information and feedback from key stakeholder groups via surveys and customer channel modelling. Where appropriate, Australia Post obtains independent advice to ensure the length of time required to complete such surveys/modelling is appropriate.