Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1915, No. 236, are an amendment to the Telephone Regulations 1913, which were made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for a more precise and efficient allocation of resources in telephone exchange operations, particularly in relation to the staffing of exchanges based on their revenue generation. The objective is to ensure that resources are not wasted on maintaining continuous attendance at exchanges that do not generate sufficient revenue while maintaining adequate service at busier exchanges. The regulation was enacted by Sir Arthur Stanley, the Governor of the State of Victoria and its Dependencies, acting as the Deputy of the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, in accordance with the provisions of the Australian Constitution. The new regulation aims to refine the criteria for staffing levels at telephone exchanges, ensuring that only those exchanges generating £250 or more per annum receive continuous attendance.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, as stipulated in Statutory Rules 1915, No. 236, pertains specifically to the telephone services managed by the Postmaster-General's Department in the Commonwealth of Australia. This regulation applies to telephone exchanges and their associated subscribers' lines and services, with a particular focus on the revenue generated from these services. It mandates that if the annual revenue from subscribers’ lines and services connected to a telephone exchange falls below £250, then the attendance at that exchange is restricted to the hours during which the post office at which the exchange is situated is open for public business, including holidays. Conversely, if the annual revenue is £250 or more, continuous attendance must be provided. The calculation of this revenue includes rentals for subscribers' lines and apparatus, as well as charges for local calls, but excludes revenue from any trunk lines connected with the exchange. This regulation serves to establish the operational hours of telephone exchanges based on the revenue generated, ensuring that resources are efficiently allocated based on financial performance.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913 pertain to the provision of attendance at telephone exchanges based on the revenue generated from subscribers' lines and services. Specifically, Regulation 19(1) states that if the annual revenue from subscribers’ lines and services connected to an exchange is less than £250, then attendance at that exchange is only required during the hours the post office at which the exchange is located is open for public business, both on ordinary days and holidays. Conversely, if the annual revenue is £250 or more, continuous attendance must be provided. Regulation 19(2) further clarifies that the revenue calculation includes rentals for all subscribers' lines and apparatus connected to the exchange in question, as well as charges for all local calls, but excludes revenue from any trunk lines connected with the exchange. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Firstly, it requires adherence to the stipulated revenue thresholds to determine the level of attendance necessary at telephone exchanges. If an exchange's revenue from subscribers' lines and services is below £250 per annum, attendance must be limited to the hours the post office is open. Conversely, if the revenue meets or exceeds £250, continuous attendance must be ensured. Additionally, the Act mandates that only specific types of revenue, namely those from subscribers' lines, apparatus, and local calls, are to be included in the revenue calculation, excluding trunk line revenues. There are no explicit provisions in the text regarding offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach of the regulation. However, it is implied that failure to comply with the specified attendance requirements based on the revenue thresholds could potentially lead to legal consequences, such as enforcement actions or sanctions. Given the nature of the regulation, breaches might be subject to administrative or civil penalties, although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text.