Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1912, No. 143, are an amended regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910, specifically addressing the Telephone Regulations for public telephones. This regulation was introduced to clarify the definition of "revenue" as it pertains to public telephones, ensuring that the Department retains revenue after accounting for any payments to be made to the owner or occupier of the premises where the telephone is located, or for the cost of providing light for the telephone. This amendment was enacted by the Governor-General in Council, with the intention of providing a clear and precise definition to facilitate the financial management of public telephones within the regulatory framework. The regulation came into operation on 27 July 1912, providing a structured approach to the administration and financial oversight of public telephones under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910.

Scope and Application

The amended Telephone Regulations, specifically Regulation 47 under Part IV of Statutory Rules 1911, No. 215, pertains to public telephones and applies to the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations govern the revenue and estimated revenue that the Department retains after making any applicable payments to the owner or occupier of premises housing the telephone, or after accounting for the cost or estimated cost of providing light for the public telephone. The regulations, which came into operation on 27 July 1912, are applicable across the entire Commonwealth and thus have a national reach. The regulations do not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, implying a broad application to all public telephones within the Commonwealth. This regulation is part of a broader legislative instrument designed to provide a clear framework for the management and revenue retention related to public telephones across Australia.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation 47 under the "Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1910" specifically introduces a new sub-regulation (9) that provides a definition for "revenue" or "estimated revenue" in the context of public telephones. This sub-regulation clarifies that the revenue to be retained by the Department is that which remains after certain payments are made. These payments include any allowances to the owner or occupier of the premises where the public telephone is located, or any costs related to providing light for the public telephone. The obligations imposed by this amendment primarily pertain to the Department of Home Affairs and its responsibilities in managing public telephones. They must ensure that any revenue calculations correctly account for the specified payments to the premises' owners or occupiers and for lighting costs. This requirement ensures transparency and fairness in the financial dealings associated with public telephones. Breaches of these obligations may not be explicitly outlined in the provided text, but generally, failure to adhere to the stipulated revenue calculations could lead to financial discrepancies or disputes. While the specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance are not mentioned in the provided text, under the broader regulatory framework, non-compliance could potentially result in civil or administrative penalties. These might include financial penalties or the requirement to rectify the financial records to align with the stipulated provisions. It is also important to consider that while the specific penalties for this particular regulation are not detailed, the overarching legislation and regulatory framework under which these amendments operate could impose further penalties or consequences for non-compliance with regulatory obligations.