Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1918, No. 182, is an amendment to the existing regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. Enacted by the Governor-General in the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, this legislative instrument seeks to update and clarify the application of the Telephone Regulations 1913. The amendment addresses a specific gap in the regulations, ensuring that any member of a subscriber's household is included in the scope of sub-regulations (2) and (3) of Regulation 22, thereby extending the applicability of certain telephone services and responsibilities to household members. This legislative adjustment aims to align the regulations more closely with contemporary social structures and usage patterns, reflecting a policy objective to ensure comprehensive and inclusive application of telecommunications laws.

Scope and Application

The amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 extends its application to any subscriber to a telephone service and any member of the subscriber's household, thereby broadening the scope of the original regulation to encompass those residing with the primary subscriber. This adjustment ensures that the regulations governing telephone services now include not just the individual subscriber but also other individuals who live in the same household. The regulation is part of the broader legislative framework administered at the Commonwealth level, reflecting the national scope of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. It is noteworthy that the regulation does not explicitly exclude any particular groups or activities, but rather it applies universally to all subscribers and household members within the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulation’s amendments are made through statutory rules, which allows for its scope and application to be further defined or modified by subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, particularly through the amendment of Regulation 22, introduces changes to the Telephone Regulations 1913. The primary change is the insertion of the words "or any member of his household" after the word "subscriber" in sub-regulations (2) and (3). This means that the provisions regarding telephone services will now also apply to any member of a subscriber's household, expanding the scope of who is covered by these regulations. The primary operative sections are Regulation 22, as amended, which specifies who is eligible for telephone services and the associated conditions. Under the amended Regulation, the obligations and requirements imposed on parties or entities governed by these provisions include the inclusion of household members in the eligibility criteria for telephone services. This amendment ensures that any member of a subscriber's household is afforded the same rights and subject to the same conditions as the subscriber. The requirement is clear and straightforward, extending the existing regulations to encompass household members, thereby ensuring broader coverage and applicability of the rules. Failure to comply with the amended Regulation may result in various consequences, including potential administrative penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, it is understood that breaches of regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 could lead to civil or criminal actions. The exact nature of these consequences would be determined by the relevant authorities enforcing the Act, with potential penalties ranging from fines to more severe legal repercussions depending on the severity and intent of the breach. The maximum penalties would be determined in accordance with the broader legislative framework governing the Act.