Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Determination 2006

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2006L01517 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Determination 2006

as amended

made under subsection 27 (2) of the

Radiocommunications Act 1992

This compilation was prepared on 14 May 2007
taking into account amendments up to Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Amendment Determination 2007

[Note:  This Determination ceases to have effect at the end of 15 months after the day on which it commences, see section 3]

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
AttorneyGeneral’s Department, Canberra

Contents

 1 Name of Determination [see Note 1]

 2 Commencement [see Note 1]

 3 Determination ceases to have effect 

 4 Definitions 

 5 Exemption for trial period — AFP personnel 

 6 Exemption for trial period — Telstra staff engaged under agreement 

 7 Exemption for trial period — persons importing equipment on behalf of AFP             

Notes   

 

 

 

1 Name of Determination [see Note 1]

  This Determination is the Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Determination 2006.

2 Commencement [see Note 1]

  This Determination commences on the day after it is registered.

3 Determination ceases to have effect

  This Determination ceases to have effect at the end of 15 months after the day on which it commences.

4 Definitions

  In this Determination:

Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

AFP means Australian Federal Police.

mobile telephone jamming device means a device designed to interfere with, disrupt or disturb radiocommunications frequencies that are used to support the public mobile telecommunications service.

public mobile telecommunications service has the meaning given by section 32 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

Telstra has the same meaning as in the Telstra Corporation Act 1991.

Telstra (shielded room) testing facility means Telstra’s shielded room testing facility at 87 Marsden Street, Parramatta in New South Wales.

trial period means the period:

 (a) commencing on the day this section commences; and

 (b) ending 15 months after this section commences.

5 Exemption for trial period — AFP personnel

 (1) For subsection 27 (2) of the Act, an act or omission by a person mentioned in paragraph 27 (1) (b) of the Act is exempt from sections 46, 47 and 189 of the Act in relation to:

 (a) the operation or supply of a mobile telephone jamming device; and

 (b) the possession, for the purpose of operation or supply, of a mobile telephone jamming device;

if the act is done, or the omission occurs, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2).

 (2) The circumstances are that:

 (a) the person is a member of the AFP; and

 (b) the act is done, or the omission occurs, during the trial period; and

 (c) the act or omission involves a mobile telephone jamming device imported by or on behalf of the AFP during the trial period; and

 (d) the number of mobile telephone jamming devices imported by or on behalf of the AFP during the trial period does not exceed 10; and

 (e) the act is done, or the omission occurs, in the Telstra (shielded room) testing facility; and

 (f) the act or omission is covered, or provided for, by the terms of an agreement between the AFP and ACMA that relates to the use of mobile telephone jamming devices by the AFP during the trial period.

6 Exemption for trial period — Telstra staff engaged under agreement

 (1) For subsection 27 (2) of the Act, an act or omission by a person mentioned in paragraph 27 (1) (b) of the Act is exempt from sections 46, 47 and 189 of the Act in relation to:

 (a) the operation or supply of a mobile telephone jamming device; and

 (b) the possession, for the purpose of operation or supply, of a mobile telephone jamming device;

if the act is done, or the omission occurs, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2).

 (2) The circumstances are that:

 (a) the act is done, or the omission is made, by a person who is an employee of Telstra, and who is contracted:

 (i) for part or all of the trial period; and

 (ii) by a person mentioned in paragraph 27 (1) (b) of the Act who is a member of the AFP;

  to provide technical expertise under a written agreement; and

 (b) the act is done, or the omission occurs, during the trial period; and

 (c) the act or omission involves a mobile telephone jamming device imported by or on behalf of the AFP during the trial period; and

 (d) the number of mobile telephone jamming devices imported by or on behalf of the AFP during the trial period does not exceed 10; and

 (e) the act is done, or the omission occurs, in the Telstra (shielded room) testing facility; and

 (f) the act or omission is covered, or provided for, by the terms of an agreement between the AFP and ACMA that relates to the use of mobile telephone jamming devices by the AFP during the trial period.

7 Exemption for trial period — persons importing equipment on behalf of AFP

 (1) For subsection 27 (2) of the Act, an act or omission by a person mentioned in paragraph 27 (1) (b) of the Act is exempt from sections 46, 47 and 189 of the Act in relation to:

 (a) the importation or supply of a mobile telephone jamming device; and

 (b) the possession, for the purpose of operation or supply, of a mobile telephone jamming device;

if the act is done, or the omission occurs, in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2).

 (2) The circumstances are that:

 (a) the person possesses the device during the trial period; and

 (b) the importation or supply is made on behalf of the AFP; and

 (c) the importation or supply is made during the trial period; and

 (d) the person does not use the device.

Notes to the Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Determination 2006

Note 1

The Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Determination 2006 (in force under section 27 (2) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Instruments

Title

Date of FRLI registration

Date of
commencement

Application, saving or
transitional provisions

Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Determination 2006

15 May 2006 (see
F2006L01517)

16 May 2006

 

Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Amendment Determination 2007

11 May 2007 (see
F2007L01376)

11 May 2007

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted      am. = amended      rep. = repealed      rs. = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

S. 3.................

rs. F2007L01376

S. 4.................

am. F2007L01376

 

Overview

The Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Determination 2006 was enacted to address a specific need for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to test mobile telephone jamming devices without contravening existing radiocommunications laws. This legislative instrument was introduced under subsection 27(2) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and was prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing, Attorney-General’s Department. The primary policy objective of this Determination was to facilitate the testing of mobile telephone jamming devices by the AFP, which are designed to interfere with radiocommunications frequencies used in public mobile telecommunications services. The Determination allows for exemptions from certain sections of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 during a specified trial period, ensuring that the AFP can carry out necessary tests while adhering to regulatory requirements. The Determination outlines specific exemptions for AFP personnel, Telstra staff engaged under an agreement, and persons importing equipment on behalf of the AFP. These exemptions apply to the operation, supply, and possession of mobile telephone jamming devices during a trial period, provided certain conditions are met, such as the devices being imported by or on behalf of the AFP, the number of devices not exceeding ten, and the activities taking place in a designated testing facility. This legal framework ensures that the AFP can effectively test these devices without breaching the prohibitions set out in the Radiocommunications Act 1992, thereby addressing a critical operational need while maintaining compliance with telecommunications regulations.

Scope and Application

The Radiocommunications (Prohibited Devices) (AFP testing of mobile telephone jamming devices) Exemption Determination 2006, made under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, provides specific exemptions from certain sections of the Act during a trial period for the testing of mobile telephone jamming devices. This determination applies to members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Telstra staff under specific contractual arrangements with the AFP, and individuals importing such devices on behalf of the AFP. The trial period runs for 15 months from the date of commencement of the Determination. It exempts these persons from sections 46, 47, and 189 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 in relation to the operation, supply, and possession of mobile telephone jamming devices, provided the devices are imported by or on behalf of the AFP and the total number does not exceed ten. The activities must occur during the trial period and within Telstra’s shielded room testing facility in Parramatta, New South Wales, and must be covered by an agreement between the AFP and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The determination ceases to have effect at the end of the trial period, which is 15 months after its commencement.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Determination are sections 5, 6, and 7. These sections provide exemptions from certain prohibitions under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 for the operation, supply, importation, and possession of mobile telephone jamming devices during a specified trial period. Specifically, section 5 exempts Australian Federal Police (AFP) personnel from certain sections of the Act if certain conditions are met, such as the device being imported by or on behalf of the AFP, the number of devices not exceeding 10, and the activities taking place within a Telstra shielded room testing facility. Section 6 provides a similar exemption for Telstra staff who are contracted to provide technical expertise under a written agreement with the AFP. Section 7 exempts individuals who import devices on behalf of the AFP from certain provisions, provided they do not use the devices. The Determination imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. AFP personnel, Telstra staff, and those importing devices on behalf of the AFP must adhere to the terms of an agreement between the AFP and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regarding the use of mobile telephone jamming devices during the trial period. The activities must be confined to the specified Telstra testing facility, and the number of devices involved must not exceed 10. Additionally, the exemptions apply only during the trial period, which begins on the day the Determination commences and ends 15 months later. The Determination does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. However, any failure to comply with the conditions outlined in the Determination could potentially lead to legal repercussions under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, as the exempted activities are otherwise prohibited. This might include fines or other penalties as prescribed by the overarching Act. The Determination itself serves as a temporary measure to allow for the testing and evaluation of mobile telephone jamming devices within the specified parameters, ensuring that any potential misuse or breach of the conditions is avoided.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Telecommunications Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Definitions & Interpretation
Prohibited Conduct
Enforcement Powers

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