Telephone Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1926, No. 6, represent an amendment to the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923, made by the Governor-General in Council. This regulation addresses the need to update the annual charge for telephone services, specifically amending the fee from Two shillings and sixpence per annum to Five shillings per annum. The enactment by the Governor-General, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, reflects the legislative process of the time and demonstrates the intent to modernise the postal and telegraph services in line with changing economic conditions and service demands. The policy objective underpinning this amendment is to adjust the financial obligations of telephone users to reflect contemporary economic realities, ensuring that the Postmaster-General's Department can maintain and improve services effectively. This adjustment was necessary to align the cost of telephone services with the prevailing economic environment, thereby supporting the broader goal of enhancing communication infrastructure and accessibility for the Australian public.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923, as set out in Statutory Rules 1926, No. 6, pertains specifically to the amendment of the Telephone Regulations. This legislation applies to entities and individuals involved in the use of telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia. The Regulation modifies the annual charge for certain telephone services, replacing the previous rate of Two shillings and sixpence per annum with a new rate of Five shillings per annum. This change aims to align the regulatory framework with evolving economic and operational conditions. The Regulation is a Commonwealth instrument, meaning it has a national reach and applies uniformly across all states and territories within Australia. There are no specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds noted in the text, and its application is direct without reliance on subordinate instruments. The amendment aims to ensure that the regulatory framework remains relevant and effective in governing the provision and use of telephone services across the nation.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923 primarily modifies the annual fee for telephone services. Specifically, section 1 of the Regulation amends sub-regulation 1 of regulation 29, changing the annual fee from "Two shillings and sixpence per annum" to "Five shillings per annum". This alteration directly affects the cost that telephone service users must pay annually. The parties or entities governed by this Regulation are those who hold a telephone service connection under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923. These entities must now comply with the updated fee structure, which requires them to pay the new annual rate of Five shillings instead of the previous Two shillings and sixpence. This change is applicable to all existing telephone service users as soon as the Regulation comes into operation. While the Regulation does not explicitly detail specific obligations or requirements beyond the fee adjustment, it implicitly requires all affected parties to adhere to the new financial terms. This involves updating their billing and accounting systems to reflect the new annual charge. The entities must also ensure that their customers are informed about this change, so there are no misunderstandings or disputes regarding the new fees. There are no explicit provisions detailing offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach within this particular Regulation. However, failure to comply with the updated fee structure could potentially lead to disputes and administrative actions. Users who do not pay the revised annual charge might face service disconnection or other penalties as per the general terms and conditions of their service agreement with the Postmaster-General’s Department.