Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
Government Bookshop Network - closure
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| National Office for the Information Economy | -2.9 | -4.1 | -4.0 | -3.9 |
Sales of government publications through the Government Bookshop Network have declined markedly in recent years. This is a result of agencies increasingly using alternative methods of information dissemination, including online methods. As a result, the Government Bookshop Network will be closed. Forgone revenue of $14.9 million over four years will be more than offset by reduced expenses of $27.4 million over the same period, resulting in a saving of $12.5 million over four years.
A new business model for the distribution of Commonwealth publications is to be introduced to better reflect agency and customer preferences in accessing this material. Existing distribution methods employed by individual agencies will be augmented by measures such as the establishment of a panel of contractors for printing and distribution of agency publications and the development of a central electronic register of government publications.
See also the related expense measure titled Government Bookshop Network - closure in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Premium rate telephone numbers - cost recovery for service provider rules
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Communications Authority | - | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
The Government will increase carrier licence charges to fully recover expenses, one year in arrears, incurred by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) to develop, monitor and enforce service provider rules for premium rate numbers
(190-numbers).
The ACA will make, where appropriate, service provider rules to regulate the supply of higher cost services and to address concerns about unexpected high bills for these services.
See also the related expense measure titled Premium rate telephone numbers - service provider rules in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Submarine telecommunications cables - protection and cost recovery
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Communications Authority | - | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
The Government will apply fees and charges to the owners of submarine telecommunications cables of national importance to cover the costs of protecting the cables. Costs will be recovered one year in arrears by the Australian Communications Authority.
See also the related expense measure titled Submarine telecommunications cables - protection in the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts portfolio.
Telecommunications competition regulation - cost recovery
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | |
| Australian Communications Authority | - | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.7 |
The Government will continue the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC's) regulatory role in the telecommunications sector. Charges will continue to be applied to the telecommunications industry to cover the costs of the ACCC. The revenue is collected by the Australian Communications Authority one year in arrears, under the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997. Revenue covering expenses incurred in 2002-03 will be collected in 2003-04. Provision for this revenue has already been included in the forward estimates for 2003-04.
See also the related expense measure titled Australian Competition and Consumer Commission - telecommunications competition regulation in the Treasury portfolio.