Telephone Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1919, No. 149, represent amendments to the Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislative instrument was intended to address the need for updating the existing telephone regulations in order to better accommodate the evolving demands of telecommunications services during that period. The problem or gap identified was the inadequacy of the existing regulatory framework to efficiently manage and distribute telephone lists, which were essential for the operation of telephone services. This legislative action aimed to streamline the process of providing telephone directories to users and to introduce a mechanism for the sale of additional copies of these directories, thereby enhancing accessibility and service provision. The policy objective, as implied, was to ensure that the regulation of telecommunications services was both up-to-date and responsive to the needs of the public and service providers.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, which were enacted by the Governor-General in Council on 19 June 1919, pertain specifically to the amendment of the Telephone Regulations 1913. These Regulations apply to all entities and persons involved in the operation and regulation of telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia. The amendments include a change to the requirement of providing telephone lists with each telephone installed and introduce provisions for the sale of additional copies of the Telephone List at prices fixed within the respective states. The Regulations extend to the entire Commonwealth, with the intent to standardise and regulate the supply and sale of telephone directories across Australia. The Regulations do not explicitly state exclusions, but the application of these provisions is likely limited to entities providing telephone services and those in receipt of such services within Australia. Additionally, the application and enforcement of these Regulations can be further detailed and specified through subordinate instruments, as permitted by the overarching Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 (Regulations) include Regulation 5, which has been amended to mandate that, in addition to other requirements, one copy of the Telephone List must be provided for each telephone installed (Regulation 5(2)). Furthermore, a new Regulation 23a has been introduced, allowing for the purchase of additional copies of the Telephone List at a price determined by the state in which the copies are issued (Regulation 23a). The Regulations impose certain obligations and requirements on parties governed by them. Firstly, service providers must ensure that a copy of the Telephone List is included for each telephone they install, as specified in the amended Regulation 5(2). This requirement is intended to ensure that users have access to the necessary information regarding their telephone services. Secondly, the introduction of Regulation 23a provides flexibility for service providers to offer additional copies of the Telephone List to customers at a state-determined price, thus facilitating broader access to the list if needed. Failure to comply with the Regulations may result in various consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences are not detailed in the provided text, it can be inferred that breaches of these provisions could lead to regulatory action under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. Such actions may include fines, orders for compliance, or other enforcement measures as deemed appropriate by the relevant authorities. The precise penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as the specific provisions of the overarching Act.