Network Insight Institute

The Future Communications Policy Matrix

Explaining the Matrix and how it works
          Why this project matters
          Is this about more laws or regulation?
          Why is it called a matrix?
          What to do next

You can view the Policy Matrix online
Please click here to view the live version of the Policy Matrix.  It contains nearly 60 policy proposals, to offer some examples and starting-points to people and organisations interested in submitting. The examples and interim subject headings are there to show what is possible.  We are constantly updating the headings and arranging them frequently to fit them around submissions which come in.  Live links provide added information and background to some proposals.

You can download the Policy Matrix
Please click here to download the entire current version of the matrix in PDF form. 

Why this project matters
There is good reason to do this work now.  The media, telecommunications and broadcasting have vast potential to improve Australian society, its economy and environment.  Much of that potential has been lost over the last 20 years.  Australia has lost its reputation as a communications leader.  For over 100 years since the Overland Telegraph, people have studied Australia’s progress.  With a few exceptions, we are now followers in the audiovisual and communications industries.  Many of the organisations, industry and community leaders who could have move us ahead feel been bogged down in a political and regulatory morass.

Definite decisions are needed about new and emerging issues such as all-IP networks and NGNs, platform proliferation, censorship, user-generated content, the effects of globalisation, international capital and the information economy.

This matrix is to help leaders make definite decisions about communications policy.  The focus is on longer-term success.  As an aid to that, the policies are centred around what decisions would be required before a new, convergent Communications Act could be written.  It is about the policy decisions which would be needed, not about the words of any Act itself. 

Is this about more laws or regulation?
This project does not propose a formal hard-copy document to present to the government or to any department, regulator or industry.  It is an ongoing, continuous source.  The aim is instead to provide up-to-date, credible options that could be considered when formulating policy or when making future strategic decisions.  It is an avenue for collaboration that puts aside short-term commercial and political considerations, yet it is also definite in its approach.

Why is it called a matrix?
The word ‘matrix’ explains the character of this project.  The basic meaning of the word is a womb or seed-bed.  It is derived from ‘mater’ meaning mother.  That is exactly what this is.  A seed-bed or growing medium for new directions in communications.

What to do next
You are invited to submit proposals to reform Australian communications policy.  This project sets out fresh thinking, in an organised, consistent way.  The more options submitted, the more useful it will be.
Our role is to collect proposals from people and organisations, and to make them widely available.  The proposals will be incorporated in the policy matrix, which aims to:
1.  Focus on the years beyond 2010,
2.  Collect definite proposals and their pros and cons,
3.  Throw off the political and regulatory baggage of the last 20 years,
4.  Fairly present all the competing options on any issue, and
5.  Provide the groundwork for a new, convergent Communications Act.

There are no special rules about formats or layout.  The main thing is to set it out clearly, to a length of about half a page or a single page.  Any proposal, provided it is about a specific policy change, can be included.  There is no need to worry about headings, placement or organisation.  Provided you submit a relevant proposal, the Institute will work out how to present it, and consult you before it is included.
 

Resources
Another page contains resources for people reading the Communications Policy Matrix.
That page is not meant to be read a separate page, but as a supplement to the matrix itself.   This is where you will find extra material, or items too large or technical to be part of the matrix itself.  Some of the resources are links to where original documents can be found, others are HTML, and others are downloadable PDFs.  Those resources are little more specialised.  Most readers will want the policy matrix itself.

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