Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1941, No. 236, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934, was enacted to amend the Telephone Regulations, specifically addressing the need to provide half fees for telephone services to members of the Naval, Military, or Air Forces of the Commonwealth. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Governor-General in Council to ensure that service members and their representatives, when operating under official duties or in uniform, receive discounted telephone rates. The regulation aims to support the communication needs of the armed forces during times of need, reflecting a policy objective to facilitate efficient and cost-effective communication for military personnel.

Scope and Application

The regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934 pertains specifically to amendments in the Telephone Regulations, particularly concerning the fees charged to members of the Australian Naval, Military, or Air Forces and representatives of authorised organisations. This legislation applies to individuals in uniform or those operating from military camps or offices, providing them with a concession on telephone fees. The regulation is a Commonwealth instrument, thus it has a national reach across Australia. Notably, the regulation does not explicitly outline exclusions or thresholds, implying that the benefits are limited to the specified conditions and entities. The regulation may also extend or be further defined through additional subordinate instruments, although the primary focus here is on the half-fee provision for eligible individuals.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the statutory instrument (C1941L00236) pertain to the amendment of the Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934. Specifically, Regulation 139a is amended to adjust the fees chargeable to members of the Naval, Military or Air Forces of the Commonwealth. The amendment involves the omission of the original paragraph (a) of sub-regulation (1.) and the insertion of a new paragraph that specifies when members of the forces can make telephone calls without incurring the full fee. The new paragraph states that such members can make calls from a camp where they are performing their duties or from any office while in uniform, and they will only be charged half the usual fee for these calls (Regulation 139a(1)(a)). The obligations imposed by this regulation primarily affect the members of the Naval, Military or Air Forces of the Commonwealth and the authorised organisations representing them. Members of the forces must ensure they comply with the conditions set out in the regulation to qualify for the half fee, such as being in uniform when making a call from an office or being in a camp while performing duties. Authorised organisations representing these members must also be aware of the eligibility criteria and ensure their members are informed about the conditions under which they can avail themselves of the reduced fee. In terms of consequences for breach, the statutory instrument does not explicitly detail any offences, penalties, or civil or criminal consequences for non-compliance with the amended regulation. However, it is implied that any misuse of the privilege, such as members not in uniform claiming half fees from offices, could potentially result in the full fee being charged retroactively. There is no maximum penalty stated in the document for such breaches, but it would likely be subject to the general administrative processes and fees recovery mechanisms available under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1934.