The Australian Labor Party has criticised the Coalition Government's approach to reform of the Universal Service Obligation, pointing out that it had managed to produce only a two-page response to the Productivity Commission's 450-page inquiry report into the USO.
On Thursday, the government announced a programme of work to implement a new Universal Service Guarantee, which it said would ensure all Australians have access to voice and broadband services, regardless of where they live.
But Labor shadow communications minister Michelle Rowland and shadow minister for regional communications Jim Chalmers said: "A shorter version of the government's response would read – we will do as little as possible between now and 2020 and even then we're not sure."
Describing the government's approach on Thursday, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said: "The government is taking a ‘belt and braces’ approach to protecting telecommunications accessibility for people in regional Australia.
{loadposition sam08}“The government is putting new, stronger safeguards in place before making any changes to existing safeguards while the NBN is rolled out.”
Rowland and Chalmers were dismissive of this approach, saying "This humdrum approach towards policy development is not conducive towards delivering optimal or timely outcomes."
They said it was telling that the government had not commented directly on the 19 specific recommendations outlined in the PC report, "instead opting to offer a restatement about the obvious trajectory of USO reform, dressed up with a new acronym — the ‘USG’ — to distract from its lack of work".
"One has to question whether the Turnbull Government is purposefully delaying progress. Whilst Labor recognises any changes are complex, the significance of USO reform deserves a more serious approach," the two Labor shadow ministers said.
"The co-operation of policy makers, industry, NBN Co and stakeholders will be essential towards achieving a more flexible, relevant and efficient set of arrangements. These arrangements should be transparent, creative and place the consumer at the centre – particularly given the potential for mobile infrastructure and the NBN to play a larger role."
Rowland and Chalmers said to support the next phase, the government should act to improve the availability and quality of information about the costs to deliver the USO, as well as the distribution of USO premises. This would ensure policy makers are positioned to make well-informed judgements about the costs and benefits of alternative options as part of any negotiations.
"Stakeholders deserve clear direction about the next steps leading into the 2020 transitional period. We can’t afford another road to nowhere by a government that needlessly kicks the can down the road," they added.