Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules of 1918, No. 162, detail amendments to the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916. Enacted by the Governor-General in Council, this legislative instrument aims to update the accounting practices for telephone calls, ensuring that accounts are rendered half-yearly and must be settled within fourteen days. It also outlines the charges for detailed statements of calls upon request, thereby addressing the need for clear and timely financial accountability in telecommunications services. The overarching objective is to refine the administrative processes related to telephone services, facilitating better management and transparency in billing for both service providers and subscribers.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916 pertains to the administration and financial management of telephone services provided within the Commonwealth of Australia. It applies to all subscribers who utilise telephone services, requiring them to render and settle accounts for these services half-yearly within a specified fourteen-day period. The regulation mandates that statements of account, certified by a responsible officer of the Department, are to be accepted as prima facie evidence of the number of effective calls made by the subscriber. Additionally, subscribers can request detailed statements for periods exceeding the ordinary accounting period, with specified charges applicable for such requests. The regulation also outlines the fees for statements detailing trunk line calls, varying based on the value of the calls. This legislative instrument governs the financial and procedural aspects of telephone services across the Commonwealth, ensuring a structured and transparent system for billing and account settlement.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1916, specifically pertaining to the Telephone Regulations 1913, makes several key changes. Regulation 5 has been modified by repealing the previous sub-regulation (3) and introducing new provisions. The most significant change is that accounts for telephone calls are now required to be rendered half-yearly (Regulation 5(3)). Additionally, these accounts must be settled within a strict timeframe of fourteen days from the date of rendering. A certified statement of account from a responsible officer of the Department will be considered as prima facie evidence of the number of calls made by the subscriber (Regulation 5(3)). Subscribers have the right to request additional statements of call numbers. These statements can be provided for periods other than the standard accounting period. However, the subscriber will be charged sixpence for each day exceeding the standard period, or one shilling for each statement detailing the daily total of calls for a month. Furthermore, subscribers can request detailed statements of trunk line calls for any half-year or part thereof, subject to a charge of one shilling for statements of calls valued up to one pound, and one shilling for the first pound plus sixpence for each additional pound or fraction thereof (Regulation 5(3)). The amended Regulation imposes specific obligations on telephone subscribers, requiring them to pay their half-yearly accounts within the stipulated fourteen-day period. The Department’s responsibility includes rendering accurate and timely accounts and providing additional call statements upon request, subject to applicable fees. The Department must also certify these statements to ensure their accuracy, reinforcing the importance of accountability and transparency in the service provided. Failure to comply with the payment terms stipulated in the Regulation may lead to various consequences. Although the legislation does not explicitly state the penalties for non-payment or late payment, it is reasonable to infer that continued non-compliance might result in legal actions or service interruptions. The charges for additional call statements are intended to cover the administrative costs incurred by the Department, and failure to pay these fees might prevent the subscriber from obtaining the requested information. The precise legal or administrative consequences of such failures, however, are not detailed within the text of the amended Regulation.