❓ Mr Brown raises concerns about the digital divide and paper account charges. The Minister acknowledges the issue but declines to legislate, citing private commercial arrangements and alternative solutions through education and access initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 775Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(2) Given the increasing divisions in the community between people who have access to new technology and those that do not, will the Government introduce legislation to ensure additional charges cannot be imposed on people for the provision of a paper account? (3) If not, why not? Answered on 14 November 2000 The Minister
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2000
Response time
35 days
(1) Yes. I am aware that in some instances additional costs are imposed on customers for the provision of paper accounts. (2)-(3) No. The charges that are imposed by some businesses for the provision of paper accounts are part of the terms of trade agreed to between the supplier and the customer. These are strictly private commercial arrangements between firms and their customers. As such, it would be inappropriate for Government to introduce legislation to control charges imposed by companies in these circumstances. It is open to customers dissatisfied with these charges to make alternative commercial arrangements more suited to their requirements. The Premier announced earlier this year that the Government will not allow a "digital divide" to evolve in Western Australia. By working through the education, community, and government sectors access to new technologies will increasingly become universal. A number of initiatives are underway, including community training, access in community facilities, and pilot projects in schools designed to ensure skilling and use by various groups within the community. Informed clients will make decisions about which companies they deal with based on the costs of the goods or services, including transaction costs.
(3) If not, why not? Answered on 14 November 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Yes. I am aware that in some instances additional costs are imposed on customers for the provision of paper accounts. (2)-(3) No. The charges that are imposed by some businesses for the provision of paper accounts are part of the terms of trade agreed to between the supplier and the customer. These are strictly private commercial arrangements between firms and their customers. As such, it would be inappropriate for Government to introduce legislation to control charges imposed by companies in these circumstances. It is open to customers dissatisfied with these charges to make alternative commercial arrangements more suited to their requirements. The Premier announced earlier this year that the Government will not allow a "digital divide" to evolve in Western Australia. By working through the education, community, and government sectors access to new technologies will increasingly become universal. A number of initiatives are underway, including community training, access in community facilities, and pilot projects in schools designed to ensure skilling and use by various groups within the community. Informed clients will make decisions about which companies they deal with based on the costs of the goods or services, including transaction costs.
Answered on 14 November 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Yes. I am aware that in some instances additional costs are imposed on customers for the provision of paper accounts. (2)-(3) No. The charges that are imposed by some businesses for the provision of paper accounts are part of the terms of trade agreed to between the supplier and the customer. These are strictly private commercial arrangements between firms and their customers. As such, it would be inappropriate for Government to introduce legislation to control charges imposed by companies in these circumstances. It is open to customers dissatisfied with these charges to make alternative commercial arrangements more suited to their requirements. The Premier announced earlier this year that the Government will not allow a "digital divide" to evolve in Western Australia. By working through the education, community, and government sectors access to new technologies will increasingly become universal. A number of initiatives are underway, including community training, access in community facilities, and pilot projects in schools designed to ensure skilling and use by various groups within the community. Informed clients will make decisions about which companies they deal with based on the costs of the goods or services, including transaction costs.
(3) If not, why not? Answered on 14 November 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Yes. I am aware that in some instances additional costs are imposed on customers for the provision of paper accounts. (2)-(3) No. The charges that are imposed by some businesses for the provision of paper accounts are part of the terms of trade agreed to between the supplier and the customer. These are strictly private commercial arrangements between firms and their customers. As such, it would be inappropriate for Government to introduce legislation to control charges imposed by companies in these circumstances. It is open to customers dissatisfied with these charges to make alternative commercial arrangements more suited to their requirements. The Premier announced earlier this year that the Government will not allow a "digital divide" to evolve in Western Australia. By working through the education, community, and government sectors access to new technologies will increasingly become universal. A number of initiatives are underway, including community training, access in community facilities, and pilot projects in schools designed to ensure skilling and use by various groups within the community. Informed clients will make decisions about which companies they deal with based on the costs of the goods or services, including transaction costs.
Answered on 14 November 2000 The Minister Replied: (1) Yes. I am aware that in some instances additional costs are imposed on customers for the provision of paper accounts. (2)-(3) No. The charges that are imposed by some businesses for the provision of paper accounts are part of the terms of trade agreed to between the supplier and the customer. These are strictly private commercial arrangements between firms and their customers. As such, it would be inappropriate for Government to introduce legislation to control charges imposed by companies in these circumstances. It is open to customers dissatisfied with these charges to make alternative commercial arrangements more suited to their requirements. The Premier announced earlier this year that the Government will not allow a "digital divide" to evolve in Western Australia. By working through the education, community, and government sectors access to new technologies will increasingly become universal. A number of initiatives are underway, including community training, access in community facilities, and pilot projects in schools designed to ensure skilling and use by various groups within the community. Informed clients will make decisions about which companies they deal with based on the costs of the goods or services, including transaction costs.
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