Telephone Regulations 1913 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1926 No. 7, an amendment to the Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923, was enacted to address discrepancies in the charging of telephone fees. This legislative instrument, made by the Governor-General in accordance with the Federal Executive Council's advice, modifies the Telephone Regulations by removing the exemption for Federal referenda from the fee structure and introducing a provision for rounding up fees to the nearest half-penny. The intent behind this regulation is to ensure clarity and fairness in the application of fees, thereby preventing confusion or perceived inequities in the billing process. This amendment was published by H. J. Green, the Government Printer for the State of Victoria, and took effect immediately upon its enactment.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923 applies to the modification of telephone regulations, particularly targeting the calculation of fees for telephone services. This amendment is intended to affect individuals and entities that utilise telephone services provided by the Commonwealth, specifically those who are subject to the fee structure outlined in Regulation 51. The amendment adjusts the fee calculation process by omitting certain exceptions, such as official calls made in connection with Federal referenda, and introduces a new provision where an additional half-penny is charged if the calculated fee includes an odd half-penny. The jurisdiction of this regulation is Commonwealth-wide, impacting all territories and entities within Australia. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions but implies a general application to all telephone service users within the Commonwealth, unless otherwise specified in subordinate instruments. Subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of these regulations, providing more detailed guidance or specific conditions under which the amended fees apply.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923, as set out in Statutory Rules 1926, No. 7, primarily modifies Regulation 51 concerning telephone regulations. Specifically, Regulation 51(6) is altered to remove the exemption for official calls made in connection with Federal referenda, thereby ensuring that such calls are no longer excluded from fee calculations. Additionally, a new proviso is introduced to Regulation 51(b), stipulating that if the calculated fee includes an odd half-penny, an additional half-penny must be charged. This amendment seeks to standardise the fee structure for telephone services by ensuring that fees are rounded up to the nearest whole penny. The obligations imposed by these changes require that all telephone services, including those previously exempt for official calls related to Federal referenda, now be subject to the same fee calculations as other services. Furthermore, service providers must adjust their billing systems to account for the new rounding rule, ensuring that any calculated fee with an odd half-penny results in an additional half-penny charge. These adjustments aim to bring clarity and consistency to the fee structure for telephone services across the board. Failure to comply with the new provisions could result in non-compliance with the amended Regulation, potentially leading to penalties under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1923. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of statutory regulations generally attract fines or other administrative penalties as prescribed by the relevant legislation. The amended Regulation underscores the importance of adhering to updated fee structures to maintain fairness and transparency in postal and telegraph services.