Broadcasting and Television Act 1967

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Broadcasting and Television

No. 47 of 1967

An Act to amend the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942-1966.

[Assented to 26 May 1967]

BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Broadcasting and Television Act 1967.

(2.) The Broadcasting and Television Act 1942-1966 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942-1967.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Composition of Commission.

3. Section 31 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-section (1.) the word “seven” and inserting in its stead the word “nine”;

(b) by omitting sub-section (2.); and

“(4.) The Governor-General shall appoint one Commissioner to be Chairman of the Commission and another Commissioner to be Vice-Chairman of the Commission.”.

Term of office of Commissioners.

4.—(1.) Section 32 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-section (1.) the words “subject to this section”; and

(b) by omitting sub-section (2.).

(2.) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 32 of the Principal Act as amended by this Act, of the Commissioners appointed after the commencement of this Act and on or before the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven—

(a) one may be appointed for a period that ends on the thirty-first day of December, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight; and

(b) another may be appointed for a period that ends on the thirty-first day of December, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine.

5. Section 46a of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section inserted in its stead:—

Approval of Minister to certain classifications.

“46a. Any determination under section forty-five of this Act of the salary, or range of salary, applicable to a position in the service of the Commission, or any re-classification of such a position by raising the salary or range of salary applicable to the position, is subject to the approval of the Minister where the salary, or any salary in the range of salary, exceeds—

(a) the rate of Seven thousand five hundred dollars per annum; or

(b) if a higher rate is prescribed—that higher rate.”.

6. After section 48 of the Principal Act, the following section is inserted:—

Promotion of officers who complete courses of training for special positions.

“48a.—(1.) The regulations may provide that—

(a) an office specified in the regulations is an office the occupant of which is required to undergo a course of training approved by the Commission for the purpose of enabling him to perform duties that require professional, technical or other knowledge; and

(b) an officer who has completed that course of training to the satisfaction of the Commission is entitled to be promoted in accordance with this section to such other office as is specified in the regulations in relation to that first-mentioned office.

“(2.) An officer who has completed, to the satisfaction of the Commission, the course of training approved by the Commission shall be

promoted to the office specified in the regulations under paragraph (b) of the last preceding sub-section as soon as practicable after a vacancy occurs in that office.

“(3.) Where two or more officers complete at the same time a course of training approved by the Commission, the promotion of those officers under the last preceding sub-section shall be made in accordance with the respective seniorities of those officers as determined for the purposes of the last preceding section.

“(4.) Until an officer who is entitled to promotion under sub-section (2.) of this section is promoted, the officer shall, for the purposes of salary and such other purposes as are determined by the Commission, be deemed to be the occupant of the office to which he is entitled to be promoted.

“(5.) A promotion under sub-section (2.) of this section is not subject to appeal as provided by the next succeeding section.”.

Employment of married women.

7. Section 53 of the Principal Act is repealed.

Advertisements.

8. Section 65 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from subsection (2.) the words “notices and particulars of prescribed entrance examinations in pursuance of sub-section (4.) of section forty-three of this Act, or”.

9. After section 78 of the Principal Act, the following section is inserted:—

Action taken under section 64 or 77 to be reported to the Parliament.

“78a. Where the Minister has given a direction under section sixty-four of this Act or has prohibited the broadcasting or televising of any matter or made any requirement under section seventy-seven of this Act, he shall, within seven sitting days of giving such direction or notifying such prohibition or requirement, report the same in writing to both Houses of the Parliament and shall give the reasons for such direction, prohibition or requirement, as the case may be.”.

10. After section 105 of the Principal Act, the following section is inserted:—

Action taken under section 99(3.) or 104 to be reported to the Parliament.

“105a. Where the Minister has prohibited the broadcasting or televising of any matter or has made any requirement under sub-section (3.) of section ninety-nine or section one hundred and four of this Act, he shall within seven sitting days report the same in writing to both Houses of the Parliament and shall give the reasons for such prohibition or requirement, as the case may be.”.

Licence fees.

11. Section 128 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-paragraph (iii) of paragraph (b) of sub-section (3.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-paragraph:—

“(iii) has an income the rate of which does not exceed an amount per annum equal to the sum of the amount

specified in paragraph (a) of sub-section (1a.) of section twenty-eight of the Social Services Act 1947-1967 and the amount specified in paragraph (a) of sub-section (2.) of that section.”;

(b) by omitting paragraph (a) of sub-section (4.) and inserting in its stead the following paragraph:—

“(a) is in receipt of a pension under Part III. or Part IV., or an allowance under Part VIIa., of the Social Services Act 1947-1967;”; and

Overview

The Broadcasting and Television Act 1967 was enacted to amend the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942-1966, addressing certain operational and structural issues within the broadcasting and television sector in Australia. This Act was enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the primary aim of updating and refining the regulatory framework governing broadcasting services. The Act introduces several key changes, including alterations to the composition and term of office of the Commissioners, modifications to salary approvals for positions within the Commission, and the introduction of training and promotion requirements for certain officers. Additionally, it removes restrictions on the employment of married women, updates advertising provisions, and mandates reporting to Parliament on certain ministerial actions related to broadcasting and television. The Broadcasting and Television Act 1967 also includes provisions for the amendment of licence fees, aligning them with income thresholds specified in the Social Services Act 1947-1967. This Act ensures that the regulatory mechanisms surrounding broadcasting and television services are modernised to meet the evolving needs of the industry and the public, while maintaining a robust framework for oversight and accountability.

Scope and Application

The Broadcasting and Television Act 1967 amends the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942-1966, with a scope that extends to the regulation of broadcasting and television services in Australia. This Act applies to entities involved in the broadcasting and television industries, including broadcasters and television service providers, as well as the Australian Broadcasting Commission and its officers. The Act regulates various aspects such as the composition and term of office of the Commission, salary approvals for Commission positions, training and promotion of officers, and the employment of married women within the Commission. The geographic reach of the Act is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. Certain exclusions and thresholds apply, particularly regarding salary approvals and licence fees, which are subject to the Minister’s approval and specific income criteria respectively. Additionally, the Act mandates reporting to Parliament on actions taken under specific sections, ensuring transparency and accountability. The Act's application may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which can introduce regulations and guidelines that provide more detailed provisions.

Key Provisions

The Broadcasting and Television Act 1967 amends the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942-1966. The main operative sections of the 1967 Act introduce changes to the composition of the Commission (section 3), the term of office for Commissioners (section 4), the approval of certain classifications by the Minister (section 5), and the promotion of officers who complete training courses (section 6). Furthermore, it modifies the eligibility criteria for licence fees (section 11). The Act also requires the Minister to report to Parliament when certain actions are taken, such as giving a direction under section 64, prohibiting the broadcasting or televising of any matter, or making a requirement under sections 64, 77, 99(3), or 104 (sections 8a and 105a). The Act imposes obligations and requirements on several parties, including the Commission and the Minister. The Commission must now consist of nine members, with the Governor-General appointing one Commissioner as Chairman and another as Vice-Chairman (section 3). The term of office for Commissioners is also altered, with provisions for staggered appointments (section 4). The Act requires the Minister's approval for certain salary determinations or reclassifications where the salary exceeds a specified amount (section 5). Additionally, the regulations may provide for officers to be promoted after completing approved training courses (section 6a). The Minister must report to Parliament on specific actions taken under certain sections of the Act (sections 8a and 105a). Breaches of the Broadcasting and Television Act 1967 may result in various consequences. While the Act does not explicitly state offences, penalties, or consequences for breach, the requirement to report actions taken under specific sections to Parliament (sections 8a and 105a) suggests that failure to do so could result in civil or criminal consequences. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not specified in the Act.

Area of Law: Media & Entertainment Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Commencement Provisions; Repeal & Amendment; Reporting & Disclosure Obligations; Promotion of officers who complete courses of training for special positions

Interactions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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