Julian Thomas joins ACMA consultative forum

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has just announced that four new members will be joining its Communications Consumer Consultative Forum (CCF) including CCI's Julian Thomas. Julian is Professor of Media and Communications at Swinburne University of Technology and heads the International Creative Content Cultures and Australian Advantage program at CCI.

The other new members of the forum are Alex Varley, Chief Executive of Media Access Australia; Sarina Jan from Western Australia, advising on remote and indigenous communications; and Holly Raiche, Executive Director of the Internet Society of Australia.

The CCF is a very important part of ACMA’s approach to consumer consultation and provides a structured opportunity for consumer representatives to raise and discuss issues with senior representatives of industry, regulators and policy-makers.

‘The new members bring various complementary skills to the Forum, which is consistent with the decision ACMA made in 2006 to select representatives for comparatively limited time periods to keep the Forum relevant with the refreshment of perspectives.’said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

Mr Chapman said Professor Thomas brings a strong research base and background in social policy relevant to communications.

The new consumer representatives join four existing consumer representatives. The Forum is chaired by ACMA’s Deputy Chair and meets three times a year. The next Forum is due to be held 23 July.

More information is available at ACMA