Telephone Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1908, No. 87, also known as the Regulations Under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, were enacted to address the need for regulation around the printing and distribution of telephone subscriber lists. This legislative instrument, issued provisionally as Statutory Rules 1908, No. 21, was made by the Governor-General in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, with the aim of enforcing control over the dissemination of telephone directory information. The amendment, introduced on 22 August 1908, explicitly prohibits the printing, publishing, or circulation of telephone lists without the authority of the Postmaster-General or the Deputy Postmaster-General of the State, and imposes a penalty for contraventions. The overarching policy objective is to maintain oversight and control over the publication of telephone directories to protect privacy and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Scope and Application

The amended Telephone Regulations, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901, extend to any individual or entity that engages in the unauthorised printing, publishing, or circulation of lists pertaining to telephone subscribers connected with any telephone exchange. This applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Postmaster-General or the Deputy Postmaster-General of the State, as appropriate. The regulation stipulates that any person found guilty of these activities without the requisite authority will be subject to a penalty of up to ten pounds. Additionally, any lists published in violation of this regulation are to be confiscated and handed over to the Postmaster-General upon request. The regulation comes into effect on the twenty-second day of August, 1908, and represents an amendment to existing statutory rules, providing a clear directive on the unauthorised dissemination of telephone subscriber information.

Key Provisions

The amended Telephone Regulations (Statutory Rules 1906, No. 114), specifically under Part XIX - Miscellaneous, introduce new provisions concerning the printing and circulation of telephone lists. Regulation 126a states that any individual who prints, publishes, or circulates, or authorises such activities, any list of subscribers connected with any telephone exchange without the authority of the Postmaster-General or the Deputy Postmaster-General of the State, commits an offence (Section 126a(1)). Such lists, if published in contravention of this regulation, are subject to forfeiture and must be surrendered to the Postmaster-General upon written demand (Section 126a(2)). Entities or individuals governed by these regulations must obtain explicit permission from the Postmaster-General or the Deputy Postmaster-General before printing, publishing, or circulating any telephone lists. This authorisation requirement ensures that the dissemination of subscriber information is controlled and authorised by the relevant authorities, maintaining the integrity and security of subscriber data. Failure to comply with this provision may result in legal consequences. Breach of these regulations is considered an offence, and the offender is liable to a penalty not exceeding ten pounds (Section 126a(1)). This financial penalty serves as a deterrent against unauthorised publication of telephone lists. Additionally, any lists published in contravention of this regulation must be surrendered to the Postmaster-General when requested (Section 126a(2)). This forfeiture requirement ensures that unauthorised lists do not circulate further and can be appropriately managed by the authorities.