• Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

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11 July 2011The Convergence Review was formed to examine the changes in media and communications caused by the convergence of older technologies such as television with the internet. Recent changes in online communications are having profound effects on businesses, consumers and governments. New revenue models are emerging; consumers are adopting different technologies for entertainment, work and communication; and governments are recognising that regulations designed for an analog era need review.

In December 2010, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, released the draft terms of reference for a review that would look at the current regulatory framework and make recommendations to the government on potential changes. Seventy-two submissions were received on the draft terms of reference, and these were taken into account in framing the final terms of reference released on 2 March 2011.

The government appointed an expert committee to conduct the Convergence Review. In April, the Convergence Review Committee released a framing paper outlining some initial principles that, within the bounds of the review’s terms of reference, would guide the committee as it deals with issues throughout the review. The framing paper generated a lot of public interest, resulting in 65 formal submissions and online debate on the review’s website and in social media.

During this initial phase the committee held some high-level meetings where stakeholders outlined their major issues. These issues, along with those raised in submissions, have fed into the committee’s deliberations.

Emerging issues

This Emerging Issues paper summarises some of the information received throughout the last few months of consultation, and is intended to:

> finalise the principles put forward in the framing paper
> highlight the key issues distilled from consultations
> form the basis of further discussions
> outline the next steps for the review

The paper is not an exhaustive list of issues, and more opportunities for consultation will occur in the coming months.