Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1916, No. 9, amended the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, addressing the need for adjustments in the pricing and conditions of telephone services provided by the Commonwealth of Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council, these amendments aimed to refine the charges associated with telephone services, particularly concerning extension instruments, power ringing leads, and switchboards. This legislative instrument was a response to the evolving requirements of telephone service provision and the need to ensure fair and efficient billing practices for subscribers. The policy objective was to maintain the integrity and functionality of the telephone network while providing a clear and structured framework for subscriber costs.

Scope and Application

The Regulations Under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, amended by Statutory Rules 1916, No. 9, apply to individuals and entities involved in telephone services within the Commonwealth of Australia. Specifically, the regulations govern the charges and services associated with telephone installations and usage. The amendments introduce new charges for extension instruments and power ringing leads, while also modifying the fees for telephone connections, switchboards, and current usage. The regulations are applicable nationally, as they are issued under the Commonwealth's authority. Exemptions or thresholds are not explicitly stated in this legislative instrument, though certain conditions allow for the waiver of power ringing lead charges in specific circumstances. The scope of these regulations can be further extended or restricted through additional subordinate instruments issued under the authority of the Post and Telegraph Act.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the amended Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1913, introduced through Statutory Rules 1916, No. 9, modify the Telephone Regulations, 1913. Specifically, Regulation 28 now includes an additional charge for extension instruments, table sets, in addition to the annual rental charge for wall pattern instruments. This new charge is set at 5 shillings per set. Furthermore, the Regulations stipulate that subscribers supplied with power ringing leads must pay the charges outlined in sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 70, unless the Deputy Postmaster-General determines that waiving these charges is necessary in the interests of the service, particularly for subscribers with more than five exchange lines connected to their switchboards. The amended Regulations impose several obligations and requirements on the parties governed by them. Subscribers are required to pay an annual rental for each telephone connected, which is determined by Regulation 28, Part I, and an additional 5 shillings per annum for the provision and maintenance of the calling device associated with each telephone. Additionally, subscribers must pay an annual rental for the switchboard, calculated at 15% of the cost of providing and installing the switchboard and associated equipment, broken down into interest, maintenance, and depreciation percentages. Subscribers are also required to cover the cost of current for charging the battery to operate the Private Branch Exchange and for performing any necessary ringing services, with the price per current unit to be determined by the Department. Furthermore, subscribers must pay fees for lines connecting the Private Branch Exchange with the Department’s Switchboard and for all calls passing outward through the Department’s Exchange, as prescribed by Regulation 5. The Regulations do not explicitly mention any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach. However, it can be inferred that non-compliance with the financial obligations outlined in the Regulations, such as failure to pay the prescribed annual rentals or fees, could result in enforcement actions by the Department. Such actions might include disconnection of services or legal proceedings to recover the unpaid amounts, although the specific consequences are not detailed in the text of the Regulations.