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"The Government wants to give consumers a more powerful and effective voice in the development of telecommunications policy," Senator Conroy said.

"To demonstrate our commitment to strengthening the consumer voice I have provided a grant of $87,000 to the Consumers' Telecommunications Network (CTN) on behalf of the working group of consumer representation bodies."

At present said a spokesman for Senator Conroy, "there are over 30 groups representing telecommunications users and companies in the country and this idea is designed to act as a peak body, giving voice to all those organisations in a combined manner".

"CTN will act as the coordinating body to ensure the smooth transition to the new strengthened body."

Senator Conroy also noted that, "There are many practical considerations to setting up a new body such as this. Some are particularly difficult for not-for-profit organisations such as those charged with this task."