The Standing committee on Infrastructure and Communications has announced it will hold its first public hearing into the investigation into IT pricing in Australia in Sydney on 30 July.

 

“The inquiry into IT price discrimination has generated a great deal of interest, judging by submissions, but also by comments on social media, including twitter. The Committee hopes to hear from consumer and industry groups in Sydney, including CHOICE,” said Committee Chair, Mr Nick Champion MP.

 

The Committee will host a forum to discuss the main issues concerned with the pricing inquiry to encourage public engagement.

 

“The Committee wants to understand the extent of concerns of Australians about IT price discrimination. I encourage anyone who wants to be involved in this inquiry to register their interest via the Committee’s website. That way we can let people know how they can be part of it,” Mr Champion said.

 

“As part of the program in Sydney, the Committee wants to include a focus on the music industry – looking at the impact on retailers and consumers of music downloads, and about price disparities between here and overseas.”

 

The public hearing will take place from 9.30 am, in the Macquarie Room, in Parliament House, Sydney. More information will be posted to the website as it becomes available.

 

For inquiry information: including the terms of reference and submissions, go to: www.aph.gov.au/itpricing, or contact the secretariat on (02) 6277 4580.