Telephone Regulations 1927 (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1928, No. 99, represents an amendment to the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, enacted by the Governor-General in Council. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for updating the tariff rates associated with telephone services. The policy objective of this amendment is to adjust the pricing structure for telephone services, ensuring it remains fair and reflective of the costs incurred by the Postmaster-General’s Department in providing these services. This adjustment is intended to maintain the efficiency and sustainability of the postal and telegraph services in Australia during the specified period. The regulations were enacted to ensure the continued operation and financial viability of the postal and telegraph services in the early 20th century.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 pertains to the amendment of the Telephone Regulations, specifically altering Regulation 138 by modifying the rate for each additional 200 miles or portion thereof in Table I. This regulation applies to persons and entities involved in the provision and regulation of postal and telegraph services within the Commonwealth of Australia. The amendment primarily affects the telecommunications industry by altering the cost structure for telephone services. The changes extend to the entire Commonwealth, impacting all areas where the Post and Telegraph Act has jurisdiction. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the text provided, and the regulation is a direct amendment of existing statutory rules without additional subordinate instruments extending or restricting its application. This legislative instrument reflects the government's intent to adjust the financial parameters of telephone services across the nation, ensuring that the telecommunications sector operates within updated economic guidelines.

Key Provisions

The principal amendment in this statutory regulation (C1928L00099) under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 pertains to Regulation 138, which deals with the rates for telephone services. Specifically, the regulation alters the tariff for long-distance telephone calls by adjusting the charge for each additional 200 miles or part thereof. The original tariff is amended to reflect a new rate structure, replacing the previous fixed rate for a distance of 800 miles with a sliding scale for each additional 200-mile segment (Reg. 138). This change aims to provide more granular pricing for long-distance telephone services. The obligations imposed by this statutory regulation on the parties involved are primarily focused on the implementation of the revised rates for telephone services. The Postmaster-General's Department, which is responsible for administering the Post and Telegraph Act, must ensure that the updated rates are accurately reflected in billing systems and communicated to the public. Telephone service providers must comply with these new rates when charging customers for long-distance calls, ensuring that the amended Regulation is adhered to in their billing practices. Failure to comply with the provisions of this amended regulation could result in penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, breaches of regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 could lead to enforcement actions by the relevant authorities. Such actions may include fines or other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the courts. The maximum penalties would depend on the specific nature and severity of the breach, as well as any additional provisions outlined in the overarching legislation.