STATUTORY RULES.
1930. No. 112.
REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1923.
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, to come into operation forthwith.
Dated this second day of October 1930.
(Sgd.) Stonehaven
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command.
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Telephone Regulations.
(Statutory Rules 1927, No. 145, as amended to this date.)
After Telephone Regulation 144 the following Regulation is inserted:—
Calls beyond the Commonwealth.
“144a. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations, the charges and conditions in respect of calls to places beyond the Commonwealth shall be such as are determined by and in accordance with the International Telegraph Convention of Saint Petersburg dated the 10th-22nd July, 1875, and the Service Regulations thereunder and any Convention or Regulations amending or in substitution for such Convention or Regulations”.
By Authority: H. J. Green, Government Printer, Canberra.
Overview
The Statutory Rules 1930, No. 112, enacted by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council under the authority of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, address the need to align the regulation of international telecommunications with international standards. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure that charges and conditions for calls to places beyond the Commonwealth adhere to the International Telegraph Convention of Saint Petersburg from 1875, as well as any subsequent conventions or regulations. By doing so, the regulation aims to harmonise Australian telecommunications practices with international standards, facilitating smoother and more consistent international communication.
Scope and Application
The Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 amends the existing Telephone Regulations, specifically introducing Regulation 144a, which pertains to the charges and conditions for calls to places beyond the Commonwealth. This amendment applies to all telecommunications services and entities involved in international calls, ensuring they comply with the International Telegraph Convention of Saint Petersburg dated 10th-22nd July 1875, and any subsequent conventions or regulations. The scope of this legislation is limited to the telecommunications sector, specifically focusing on international call services. It does not cover domestic calls within Australia, which remain governed by the existing provisions of the Telephone Regulations. The regulation extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to international call charges and conditions across the nation. While the Regulation primarily targets telecommunications providers, it also implicitly applies to consumers who make or are charged for international calls. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the regulation, implying that all entities and persons involved in international telecommunications services within Australia must adhere to the prescribed international standards and conventions. The application of this Regulation is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional details or specific implementation guidelines for the charges and conditions of international calls.
Key Provisions
The statutory regulation (C1930L00112) made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 introduces a new regulation, numbered 144a, which addresses the charges and conditions for calls made beyond the Commonwealth of Australia. Regulation 144a stipulates that the charges and conditions for such calls must comply with the International Telegraph Convention of Saint Petersburg dated 10th-22nd July 1875, along with the service regulations and any subsequent conventions or regulations that replace or amend the original ones. This means that any call made outside Australia must adhere to the international standards and agreements specified in these documents.
Entities and individuals governed by these regulations, particularly those involved in telecommunication services, are required to ensure that their charges and conditions for international calls are aligned with the International Telegraph Convention and the associated service regulations. This includes staying updated with any changes or amendments to the Convention or Regulations, which may be periodically introduced to reflect current international standards and practices. Such entities must implement these international standards in their service offerings to maintain compliance with Australian regulations.
Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to legal consequences. The regulation does not specify particular offences or penalties within the text provided, but breaches of regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 could potentially result in penalties as outlined in other sections of the Act or related legislation. Typically, penalties for non-compliance with such regulations could include fines or other sanctions, as determined by the relevant authorities. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature and severity of the breach, as well as any additional provisions within the overarching Act or other applicable laws.