This bill became law on May 31st, 2024.
Transport & communications
People in new developments such as retirement villages now have stronger protection that private broadband networks must provide voice and internet services at proper standards.
Complaints from residents in new developments on private broadband networks, plus gaps after buildings were occupied before connections were ready, exposed weak consumer protections and delays. The bill brings those networks into the service-provider regime and lets rules cover compensation, complaints, exit notices and faster connection obligations.
Before this bill, the statutory infrastructure provider regimeThe rules that say which provider must connect and supply broadband and voice services in a given area, especially in new developments. mainly bound carriers, leaving some private broadband networks in new developments outside the main consumer-safeguard system and creating gaps when completed buildings were occupied before phone and internet connections were ready. The bill responded by extending those duties and related safeguards to more private-network operators, tightening rules on service standards, complaints, compensation and provider exits, and it became law in May 2024 to strengthen protections for residents moving into those developments.
The main criticism was not of the consumer-protection goal but of the government's handling of the bill, with concerns it had been delayed and drafted poorly around reporting rules. That criticism came from the opposition while still backing the bill, and no party represented in the debate opposed the bill itself.
Michelle Rowland MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 31 May 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
176 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
People in new developments such as retirement villages now have stronger protection that private broadband networks must provide voice and internet services at proper standards.
Broadband providers can now be made to compensate customers if they fail to meet required service standards or rules.
Broadband supply duties now start when a completed building is occupied, which aims to reduce delays in getting phone and internet services after people move in.
Consumers have a clearer path to complain to the Telecommunications Industry OmbudsmanThe complaints body that people can go to when they have problems with a telecommunications provider, including connection issues covered by this bill. about delays or problems with broadband connections.
When a broadband provider leaves an area or cannot temporarily meet its supply duty, the law now allows tighter notice and minister-made conditions to help keep services going and improve transparency.
First, the bill will bring private networks in new developments, for example those operating in retirement villages, into the SIP regime for the first time. Bringing these private networks under the regime will mean that consumers living in these developments will have greater certainty they can access broadband and voice at appropriate standards.Minister's second reading speech
Second, the bill will provide a mechanism for SIPs to be required to pay compensation to customers where they do not meet a standard or a rule. This will give providers an incentive to lift performance in the event that new standards or rules are implemented.Minister's second reading speech
Third, the bill will clarify that the obligations of SIPs start in an area once buildings have been constructed and someone has moved in. Currently, the obligations start once a network has been installed. This has meant that when there is a delay in deploying a network, occupants can face delays in being able to access telecommunications.Minister's second reading speech
Fourth, the bill will clarify the powers of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman to resolve complaints about SIP connections. This will provide an additional safeguard for consumers.Minister's second reading speech
Sixth, the bill repeals an exemption from the SIP supply obligation, due to uncertainty in the industry about how the obligation operates. The bill proposes to replace the exemption with a power for the minister to adjust the SIP supply obligation in the event a SIP is temporarily unable to fulfil the obligation.Minister's second reading speech
Context
Before this bill, the statutory infrastructure provider regimeThe rules that say which provider must connect and supply broadband and voice services in a given area, especially in new developments. mainly bound carriers, leaving some private broadband networks in new developments outside the main consumer-safeguard system and creating gaps when completed buildings were occupied before phone and internet connections were ready. The bill responded by extending those duties and related safeguards to more private-network operators, tightening rules on service standards, complaints, compensation and provider exits, and it became law in May 2024 to strengthen protections for residents moving into those developments.
Private broadband networks in some new developments sat outside the main safeguards
The explanatory memorandum said the existing statutory infrastructure provider regimeThe rules that say which provider must connect and supply broadband and voice services in a given area, especially in new developments. applied to carriers but not to some private networks in new developments, leaving weaker consumer protections around connections and service standards.
Explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces a bill to extend consumer safeguards
The minister introduced the bill saying it would improve safeguards for Australians using broadband and voice services by refining the statutory infrastructure provider regimeThe rules that say which provider must connect and supply broadband and voice services in a given area, especially in new developments..
Hansard ↗House passes the bill
The House agreed to the bill at third reading, sending the package of private-network, compensation and complaints changes to the Senate.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, clearing the way for the new safeguards to become law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. turns the bill into law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. made the legislation an Act, formalising stronger rules for private-network providers, complaint handling and possible compensation obligations.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Referred to Committee (08/02/2024): Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (18/03/2024)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was not of the consumer-protection goal but of the government's handling of the bill, with concerns it had been delayed and drafted poorly around reporting rules. That criticism came from the opposition while still backing the bill, and no party represented in the debate opposed the bill itself.
Criticism was narrow and did not amount to a broader case against the bill.
Drafting and delay concerns
The opposition said the bill was sensible overall but criticised the government for bringing it forward late and for sloppy drafting on reporting rules, arguing those flaws reflected poor legislative handling rather than a problem with the bill's core policy.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Rowland supports the bill, saying it will improve consumer safeguards and access to broadband and voice services through clearer rules, stronger complaint handling, and tougher obligations on providers and developers.
Read in Hansard ↗Coleman says the opposition will support the bill because it sensibly extends consumer safeguards to private networks and other parts of the SIP regimeThe rules that say which provider must connect and supply broadband and voice services in a given area, especially in new developments..
Read in Hansard ↗Brown supports the bill, saying it will improve consumer safeguards and access to broadband and voice services by tightening the statutory infrastructure provider regimeThe rules that say which provider must connect and supply broadband and voice services in a given area, especially in new developments., strengthening complaint handling, and improving accountability.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
2 speakers · 2 support
“Taken together, the measures in the Bill will improve access to broadband and voice services for people in Australia.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Taken together, the measures in the bill will improve access to broadband and voice services for people in Australia. I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“Broadly, we do support this bill. We are disappointed that it went nowhere for a year. We are gravely concerned about the conduct of this portfolio overall in telecommunications regulation and, frankly, more broadly, leadership but we do not propose to oppose this bill and we look forward to any amendments or further discussions that may come from the Senate inquiry.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (18/03/2024)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (8 Feb 2024): Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Committee report (18 Mar 2024)
APH bill page notes
