Towards Responsiveness: Consumer and Citizen Engagement in Co-Regulatory Rule-Making in the Australian Communications Sector

This article begins the process of evaluating adequacy procedural and substantive requirements that Australian communications regulators (and hence industry bodies) must satisfy before co-regulatory codes practice can be registered. It considers if relating to consumer public consultation, included in statutory frameworks authorise govern co-regulation media, online telecommunications sectors, ensure rule-making is sufficiently responsive interests consumers citizens. Drawing on publicly available information about seven bodies have drafted round table discussions with industry, regulators, highlights current engagement practices often fall short ‘democratic credentials’ responsiveness. suggests code registration criteria consultation overhauled these weaknesses are rectified.