News - information for the media

• What the TIO can and can't provide
• To arrange a media interview
• Other sources for comment

The TIO aims to inform consumers and the telecommunications industry about complaint issues and trends and increase awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities. The TIO publishes quarterly complaint statistics, issues consumer alerts as required and provides information to the media upon request.

The TIO can provide:

• Comments on the TIO's approach to investigating complaints within jurisdiction;
• Comments on TIO complaint statistics;
• Advice to consumers and small businesses on how to avoid or resolve problems;
• Quarterly statistics on the performance of the industry with regard to TIO complaint categories (see Statistics page for more information);
• Anonymous case studies (where available).

The TIO will not provide:

• Comment on issues outside of its jurisdiction, including government policy and the setting of tariffs and charges; Comment on individual complaints (except with the written permission of the complainant);
• Comment on the performance of an individual TIO member company;
• Assistance in identifying people who have experienced a particular problem. The TIO will not contact a complainant on a journalist's behalf.

To arrange a media interview

Other sources for comment:

For comments from consumer representatives:
• Australian Telecommunications Users Group
Tel: 02 9495 8999
Contact: Managing Director

• Consumers' Telecommunications Network
Tel: 02 9572 6007
Contact: Teresa Corbin

• Choice
Tel: (02) 9577 3245 or 0425 296 442
Contact: Christopher Zinn

For individual cases, try Consumer Rights Councils, Legal Aid offices and Community Legal Centres in your state.

For research and comment on telecommunications policy:
• Communications Law Centre
Tel: 03 9248 1278


For information and comment on industry codes of practice:
• Communications Alliance
Tel: 02 9959 9111


For information on industry regulation:
• Australian Communications & Media Authority
Tel: 02 9334 7980
0418 861 766
Contact: Donald Robertson