Broadcasting and Television
No. 69 of 1968
An Act to amend section 128 of the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942–1967.
[Assented to 3 October 1968]
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 1968.
(2.) The Broadcasting and Television Act 1942–1967 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 1942–1968.
Commencement.
2.—(1.) Subject to this section, this Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
(2.) The amendments of the Principal Act effected by the next succeeding section apply in relation to—
(a) a licence granted for a period commencing on or after the first day of October, One thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight; and
(b) the renewal of a licence where the licence or the last preceding renewal of the licence, as the case may be, expires or has expired on or after that date.
Licence fees.
3. Section 128 of the Principal Act is amended—
(a) by omitting from paragraph (a) of sub-section (1.) the words “Five dollars fifty cents” and inserting in their stead the words “Six dollars fifty cents”;
(b) by omitting from paragraph (b) of sub-section (1.) the words “Two dollars eighty cents” and inserting in their stead the words “Three dollars thirty cents”;
(c) by omitting from sub-section (1a.) the words “Twelve dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “ Fourteen dollars”; and
(d) by omitting from sub-section (1b.) the words “Seventeen dollars” and inserting in their stead the words “Twenty dollars”.
Overview
The Broadcasting and Television Act 1968 was enacted to amend section 128 of the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942–1967. This Act was introduced to address the need for updating the fee structures for broadcasting and television licenses to reflect economic changes and increased operational costs. Enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, the policy objective of this Act was to ensure that the licensing fees for broadcasting and television services were revised appropriately to support the ongoing regulation and administration of these services. By adjusting the fee structures, the Act aimed to maintain the financial viability of the regulatory framework while accommodating the evolving landscape of the broadcasting industry.
Scope and Application
The Broadcasting and Television Act 1968 amends section 128 of the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942–1967, which primarily relates to the fees for television and broadcasting licenses. This Act applies to any entities that hold or seek to hold a television or broadcasting license within the Commonwealth of Australia, particularly those granted or renewed from 1 October 1968 onwards. The amendments modify the financial obligations for licence fees, increasing them to reflect changes in economic conditions since the original Act. The increased fees are applicable to both new and renewed licences that commence or expire on or after the specified date. The Act's amendments are restricted to the specified sections and do not extend to other provisions of the Principal Act unless otherwise noted. The changes are confined to the financial adjustments without introducing new regulatory measures or exemptions.
Key Provisions
The Broadcasting and Television Act 1968 amends Section 128 of the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942–1967, primarily by adjusting the fees associated with television licences. Specifically, Section 3 modifies the licence fee amounts for different categories, replacing the previous fees with new ones: $6.50 instead of $5.50 for the first category, $3.30 instead of $2.80 for the second category, $14.00 instead of $12.00 for the third category, and $20.00 instead of $17.00 for the fourth category.
The Act imposes updated financial obligations on entities holding television broadcasting licences, ensuring that these entities comply with the revised fee structures as outlined in the amended Section 128. These entities must now adhere to the new financial requirements when applying for or renewing their licences, with the changes effective for licences granted or renewed on or after 1 October 1968.
There are no explicit provisions detailing offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with the new fee structures in the text provided. However, the failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Act could potentially lead to legal actions under the broader framework of the Broadcasting and Television Act 1942–1968, which may include enforcement actions or penalties as prescribed by the relevant authorities. The exact nature and extent of these consequences would depend on the specific provisions of the broader Act and any applicable regulations.