Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1916, No. 230, enacted under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, introduce amendments to the Telephone Regulations 1913 to address the need for more accessible telecommunications for charitable institutions dedicated to the relief of poor or afflicted persons. These institutions, which are supported wholly or partly by public subscription and have been approved by the Postmaster-General, are to be charged half the standard rates for telephone lines and additional instruments. This policy aims to provide these essential services with financial relief, thereby supporting their charitable objectives more effectively. The regulation was enacted by the Governor-General in Council, with the approval of the Postmaster-General, to ensure that these institutions can continue their important work with reduced financial burdens on communication services.

Scope and Application

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916, published as Statutory Rules 1916, No. 230, introduces specific provisions concerning the charging of telephone rates for certain charitable institutions. This regulation applies to charitable institutions that are approved by the Postmaster-General and which are dedicated to the relief of poor or afflicted persons in Australia, with their support deriving wholly or partly from public subscription. These institutions are entitled to a concessionary rate, being charged only half the rates specified in the existing regulations for lines and any additional instruments. Furthermore, calls made over lines connecting with exchanges are also subject to this reduced rate. The scope of this amendment is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, aligning with the jurisdictional reach of the Post and Telegraph Act. There are no explicit exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds detailed within the regulation itself, although the application may be further refined or expanded through subordinate instruments issued under the authority of the Act.

Key Provisions

The amended Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901–1916 introduces significant changes to the way telephone services are charged for charitable institutions. Specifically, Regulation 30 (1) now provides that charitable institutions, which have their primary goal of assisting poor or afflicted persons in Australia and are either wholly or partially supported by public subscriptions, can be charged only half the usual rates for telephone lines and any additional instruments. This requirement also includes the approval of the Postmaster-General for these institutions to qualify for this reduced rate (Regulation 30(1)). Furthermore, any calls made over these lines that connect with telephone exchanges are also charged at half the standard rates outlined in Regulation 5 (Regulation 30(2)). These provisions impose specific obligations on both the charitable institutions and the Postmaster-General. The charitable institutions must ensure that they meet the criteria of being primarily focused on the relief of poor or afflicted individuals and that they are supported by public subscriptions. Moreover, they must obtain the necessary approval from the Postmaster-General to be eligible for the reduced rates. The Postmaster-General, on the other hand, has the duty to review and approve the eligibility of these institutions to avail themselves of the discounted rates. This includes verifying that the institutions genuinely meet the stated criteria and are not misusing the benefits intended for charitable purposes. Failure to comply with the stipulations set out in the amended Regulation could result in various consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the text of the Regulation, it can be inferred that non-compliance might lead to the institution losing its eligibility for the reduced rates, thereby incurring full rates for telephone services. Additionally, if an institution were found to be misusing the benefits by not genuinely meeting the criteria, it might face further scrutiny or revocation of approval by the Postmaster-General. Although the exact penalties are not specified in the provided text, such breaches could potentially lead to financial penalties or other administrative actions as deemed appropriate by the Postmaster-General.