Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Regulations (Amendment) (Provisional)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1912 No. 173, entitled "Provisional Regulation Under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910," was enacted as a provisional regulation to address the urgency in updating the existing Telegraphic Regulations concerning electoral telegrams within the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation was introduced by the Governor-General in Council, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, due to the necessity of immediate operation. The primary objective of this regulation was to ensure that telegrams related to Commonwealth Parliamentary Elections could be transmitted efficiently and transparently by specifying the prescribed rates for such transmissions. The regulation replaced the previous version (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 81) and established new guidelines for the content and transmission of electoral telegrams, ensuring they include only specific details such as the names of electoral divisions, candidates, and vote counts. This provisional regulation aimed to facilitate the timely dissemination of election results via telegraph within the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The Telegraphic Regulations, as outlined in Statutory Rules 1912, No. 173, pertain specifically to the transmission of telegrams concerning Commonwealth Parliamentary Elections within the geographical boundaries of the Commonwealth of Australia. These Regulations apply to telegrams that are confined to the dissemination of essential election-related information, such as the names of Commonwealth Electoral Divisions and Subdivisions, the names of candidates, the number of votes polled by each candidate, and the number of informal votes, provided these telegrams are submitted for transmission after the conclusion of an election. The application of these Regulations is strictly confined to the Commonwealth, ensuring that all relevant communications adhere to the prescribed rates for Commonwealth press telegrams. There are no exclusions or exemptions stated within the text of this specific provision, and the Regulation operates as a provisional measure, effective immediately upon its promulgation. The scope of this Regulation is further delineated by its focus on electoral communications, distinguishing it from other types of telegrams that might be transmitted under different circumstances. The Regulation’s immediate operation underscores the urgency and importance of ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of election-related information across the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the provisional regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910 (Section 1) outline the specific changes to the Telegraphic Regulations concerning electoral telegrams. Section 3 of the regulation replaces the existing regulation regarding electoral telegrams, stating that telegrams concerning Commonwealth Parliamentary Elections will now be transmitted on payment of the rates prescribed for Commonwealth press telegrams transmitted within the Commonwealth. These telegrams must contain only the names of Commonwealth Electoral Divisions and Subdivisions, names of candidates at such elections, the number of votes polled by each such candidate, and the number of informal votes, and must be lodged for transmission after an election. The provisional regulation imposes specific obligations on parties involved with the transmission of electoral telegrams. It mandates that these telegrams must adhere strictly to the content requirements specified in Section 3, ensuring that only prescribed information is included. Furthermore, these telegrams must be submitted for transmission post-election, as stipulated in the regulation. This ensures that the dissemination of election-related information adheres to the guidelines set by the regulation. Non-compliance with the provisions of the provisional regulation may result in various consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text provided, it is likely that breaches of the regulation could result in fines or other civil or criminal penalties as outlined in the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910. These could include penalties for transmitting unauthorized information or for failing to adhere to the prescribed rates for transmission. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any additional provisions within the overarching act.