Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1933, No. 56, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, introduces amendments to the Telephone Regulations aimed at providing relief to charitable institutions that are dedicated to the welfare of poor or afflicted individuals in Australia. Enacted by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, these regulations provide a concessional rate for charitable institutions supported wholly or partly by public subscription, charging them half the standard rates for unit fee calls. This legislative instrument also ensures that any institutions already receiving these reduced rates as of 1 January 1933 will continue to do so for a period of twelve months. The overarching policy objective is to support charitable institutions in their vital work by alleviating some of their financial burdens related to telecommunications costs.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923, as made in 1933, pertain specifically to the amendment of the Telephone Regulations, targeting the rates at which charitable institutions are charged for their telephone services. These Regulations apply to charitable institutions in Australia that are dedicated to the relief of poor or afflicted persons and are supported either wholly or partly by public subscription. The Act grants such institutions the concession of being charged half the prescribed rates for unit fee calls, contingent upon the approval of the Department. The concession is extended to institutions that were already benefiting from reduced rates under the previous regulation as of 1st January 1933, allowing them to continue at these rates for a period of twelve months from that date. The Regulations are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting the broad jurisdictional reach intended to ensure uniform application of the concessions throughout the nation. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within these Regulations, but their application may be influenced by subordinate instruments that could further define or restrict their scope.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of these Regulations amend the existing Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923. Specifically, Regulation 84 is repealed and replaced with a new provision that allows charitable institutions, with the approval of the Department, to be charged only half the rates prescribed for unit fee calls (Reg. 84). This concession applies to charitable institutions whose purpose is the relief of poor or afflicted persons in Australia, and which are supported wholly or partly by public subscription. Additionally, for those institutions already receiving a concessional rate on 1 January 1933, this rate will continue for a period of twelve months after the repeal (Reg. 2). These Regulations impose certain obligations on the parties involved. Charitable institutions must apply for and receive approval from the Department to qualify for the reduced rates. The Department is responsible for reviewing these applications and determining whether the institutions meet the criteria for the concession. Furthermore, the Regulations require that the concessional rates continue for twelve months for institutions that were already receiving them on 1 January 1933, regardless of the new provisions. Breaching the terms of these Regulations may have civil or administrative consequences. If a charitable institution fails to obtain the necessary approval from the Department or does not meet the criteria for the concession, they may not be entitled to the reduced rates. Additionally, any institution that continues to charge the concessional rate beyond the specified twelve-month period, if applicable, may be liable for penalties or required to pay the full rates retroactively. The specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the Regulations but may be addressed under the broader provisions of the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1923 or other relevant legislation.