Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1916, No. 228, represent an amendment to the existing Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, enacted by the Governor-General in the context of the Federal Executive Council. This regulation, coming into operation immediately upon its enactment on 20 September 1916, addresses a specific gap in the pricing structure for telephone services. The amendment aims to adjust rental fees for subscribers who are supplied with particular types of telephone equipment, such as breast pattern microphones, head receivers, bells, and switches, rather than the standard wall sets. This adjustment ensures a more equitable pricing structure that reflects the varying costs associated with different types of telephone equipment. The policy objective underpinning this regulation is to maintain fair and reasonable charges for telephone services in alignment with the equipment provided to subscribers.

Scope and Application

The amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 applies to subscribers who are provided with specialised equipment instead of the standard wall telephone sets, such as breast pattern microphones and head receivers. The regulation specifically targets the rental charges for these alternative telephone equipment configurations, adjusting the rental fees upwards for subscribers who utilise these items. The geographic reach of this regulation is the Commonwealth of Australia, given that it is an amendment made under an Act of the Commonwealth Parliament. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text, suggesting that the increased rental applies universally to the specified equipment configurations. The regulation does not extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments in this instance, as the amendment directly modifies the existing regulations without introducing new layers of interpretation or enforcement mechanisms.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this amended regulation, particularly Section 28, address the adjustment of rental fees for telephone subscribers based on the type of equipment provided. Specifically, if a subscriber is supplied with a breast pattern microphone, a single head receiver, a bell, and a switch instead of the standard wall set, the rental fee is to be increased by 150 (Regulation 28(a)). Conversely, if the subscriber is supplied with a breast pattern microphone, a double head receiver, a bell, and a switch instead of the standard wall set, the rental fee is to be increased by 176 (Regulation 28(b)). These provisions aim to adjust the cost structure based on the specific equipment provided to the subscriber. The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties primarily concern the correct application of the increased rental fees for the specified equipment configurations. The Postmaster-General's office, or any authorised entity, must ensure that subscribers are billed accurately based on the type of equipment they use. This includes verifying the equipment configuration and applying the appropriate rental increase as stipulated in the amended regulation. Additionally, subscribers must be informed of any changes to their rental fees resulting from the provision of different equipment. Breaches of these regulations may lead to civil or administrative consequences. While the specific penalties are not outlined in the text, non-compliance could result in disputes over billing, potential legal action by affected subscribers, or administrative sanctions imposed by the Postmaster-General's office. The maximum penalties, if any, would be determined by the relevant governing laws and regulations, which are not explicitly detailed in this particular legislative instrument. It is essential for both the Postmaster-General's office and the subscribers to adhere to these provisions to avoid any potential legal or financial repercussions.