Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1941 No. 15, enacted by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, addresses the need to provide equitable telephone services for members of the armed forces and their representatives during times of conflict. This regulation seeks to ensure that members of the Australian Naval, Military, or Air Forces, as well as representatives of authorized organizations providing welfare services, receive reduced fees for trunk line calls made from military camps. The regulation specifically reduces the charge for such calls to one-half of the standard rate, reflecting a policy objective to support and assist those serving in the defence forces and their support networks during the Second World War.

Scope and Application

The Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, as amended by these Regulations, applies to telecommunications services provided by the Commonwealth and its entities, specifically targeting the charges for trunk line calls made by members of the Naval, Military, or Air Forces of the Commonwealth from camps where they are performing their duties, as well as representatives of organizations authorized by the Minister of State for Defence Co-ordination to provide welfare services to these forces. The Regulations aim to reduce the financial burden on these individuals by charging them only half the usual rate for such calls, with any fractional penny disregarded. These Regulations have a national jurisdictional reach, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. The application of the Regulations is further defined and potentially extended through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional details and specific instances of application, though the primary focus remains on supporting the welfare of military personnel and their representatives during their service.

Key Provisions

The statutory instrument under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, numbered 1941. No. 15, primarily amends the Telephone Regulations concerning the charges for trunk line calls. Regulation 139a is specifically amended, as detailed in the instrument, to provide a discount on these calls for certain members of the forces and their representatives. The regulation now states that the charge for any trunk line call made by a member of the Naval, Military or Air Forces of the Commonwealth from a camp where they are performing their duties, or by a representative of an authorized organization appointed to provide services to these members, should be half the usual charge (Regulation 139a(1)). This amendment is applicable only to calls not made on behalf of a Commonwealth or State Department, and it includes a provision that any fraction of a penny in the half charge should be disregarded (Regulation 139a(1)(a) and (b)). The obligations under this regulation fall on two primary groups: the members of the Naval, Military or Air Forces of the Commonwealth and the representatives of authorized organizations. Members of the forces who make trunk line calls from their camps and representatives appointed by authorized organizations to provide services to these members must ensure that the calls are made under the conditions stipulated in Regulation 139a. They must also be aware of the requirement that any fraction of a penny in the half charge should be disregarded. Conversely, the Postmaster-General and the entities involved in processing these calls must ensure that the discounted rate is correctly applied and billed to the eligible parties. The regulation does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for breach. However, any non-compliance by the Postmaster-General's office in correctly applying the discounted rate could potentially lead to disputes or claims for overcharges by the eligible members or representatives. Such disputes would likely be resolved through civil litigation or administrative processes, where the aggrieved party could seek redress for any overcharges resulting from the incorrect application of the regulation. It is important to note that the lack of specified penalties in the regulation means that the consequences for breach would largely depend on the outcomes of any such disputes.