Ombudsman welcomes TIO reform discussion paper

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) Simon Cohen has welcomed the release of a Federal Government discussion paper examining opportunities to reform the TIO scheme.

“The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman scheme plays a vital role in consumer protection in the telecommunications industry, assisting customers and service providers to resolve individual disputes and advising industry on best practice,” Mr Cohen said.

“It’s important to regularly review the Ombudsman scheme, to ensure we are providing the maximum benefit to the community and industry.”

The discussion paper, announced by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today, was one of several reviews aimed at improving consumer safeguards in the telecommunications industry.

These include the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Reconnecting the Customer inquiry and the Communications Alliance’s review of the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Code.

“I welcome all measures to improve consumer protections and this discussion paper is one of a range of reviews currently underway with the aim of achieving that,” the Ombudsman said.