The Consumers’ Telecommunications Network (CTN) has welcomed today’s announcement by Minister Helen Coonan that a Do-Not-Call register will be created to allow Australians to opt-out of receiving telemarketing calls by 2007.

“Australians have sent the government a very clear message about how frustrated they are with unwanted telemarketers. We’re pleased that a Do-Not-Call register will be implemented in the near future, and importantly, be free of charge to the consumer”, said Ms Teresa Corbin, Executive Director of CTN. “A Do-Not-Call register is urgently needed, and it’s a positive development that it has come to fruition so soon after a government inquiry.”

“We’re very pleased to see that minimum contact standards for telemarketers will be established”, she continued. “Hopefully this means there will be limited hours within which telemarketers can call people and minimum standards covering important information - such clearly identifying the company who is calling, and the behaviour of the individual telemarketer”.

“CTN would like to see more detail about the new register made publicly available in the near future, particularly what exclusions will apply, and look forward to the register being implemented as soon as possible”.

In late 2005 the Department of Communications, IT and the Arts issued a discussion paper calling for feedback on a proposed Do Not Call register. Nearly 500 submissions were received, many from individual consumers asking that their right to not receive unwanted telemarketing advances be protected.

The Consumers' Telecommunications Network (CTN) is a national coalition of consumer and community organisations as well as individuals that represent community interests in the national policy arena on telecommunications issues. CTN is an important voice promoting better access, quality of service and affordability of telecommunications services for residential consumers.

Media enquiries can be made to Executive Director Teresa Corbin

Email: tcorbin@ctn.org.au

Mobile: 0414 748 906 or Tel: 02 9572 6007

Note : CTN's Consumer Tip Sheet for Telemarketing is available here.