STATUTORY RULES.
1955. No. .
REGULATION UNDER THE POST AND TELEGRAPH ACT 1901-1950.*
I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulation under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950.
Dated this 30th day of August, 1955.
W. J. Slim
Governor-General.
By His Excellency’s Command,
Postmaster-General.
Amendment of the Telephone Regulations.†
Telephoning of telegrams.
Regulation 85 of the Telephone Regulations is amended by adding at the end thereof the words “and the Postal and Telegraphic Services (General) Regulations”.
* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on , 1955.
† Statutory Rules 1927, No. 145, as amended by Statutory Rules 1928, No. 99; 1929, Nos. 122 and 133; 1930, Nos. 2, 7, 15, 54 and 112; 1931, Nos. 86 and 137; 1932, No. 16; 1933, Nos. 13, 14, 56, 64, 84 and 135: 1934. Nos. 30 and 114: 1935, Nos. 25, 26, 93, 96 and 121: 1936, No. 121; 1937, Nos. 14, 36 and 86; 1938, No. 4: 1939, Nos. 34 and 130; 1940, Nos. 14, 28 and 230: 1941, Nos. 15, 126, 236 and 261; 1942, No 504; 1943, No. 141: 1946, No. 118: 1948, No. 113; 1949. No. 39; 1950, No. 92; 1951, No. 74; 1954, No. 29; and 1955, No. 27.
Printed for the Government of the Commonwealth by A. J. Arthur at the Government Printing Office, Canberra.
237/55.—Price 3d. 9/2.6.1955.
Overview
The Statutory Rules of 1955, specifically Statutory Rules 1955 No. 237, were enacted under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950 to address the need for updating and refining the regulatory framework governing telephone services in Australia. The Act was introduced by the Federal Executive Council and signed into law by the Governor-General, W. J. Slim, on 30 August 1955. This regulation specifically targets the amendment of the Telephone Regulations to include additional provisions concerning the telephoning of telegrams, thereby enhancing the existing regulatory structure to align with contemporary communications practices. The overarching policy objective of these amendments is to ensure that the regulatory framework remains effective and responsive to technological advancements in communication services.
Scope and Application
The regulation, made under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950, pertains specifically to amendments of the Telephone Regulations, particularly concerning the telephoning of telegrams. It applies to the Commonwealth level, extending its reach across Australia as governed by federal law. The regulation is designed to integrate the procedures and protocols for the telephonic transmission of telegrams, aligning them with the broader postal and telegraphic services governed by the Postal and Telegraphic Services (General) Regulations. This regulatory amendment ensures that the processes for telephonic telegram services are consistent with the overarching regulatory framework, thereby maintaining uniformity and efficiency in communication services. The regulation does not explicitly outline exclusions or exemptions but operates within the existing legislative and regulatory structure provided by the Post and Telegraph Act and its subsidiary regulations.
Key Provisions
This legislative instrument amends Regulation 85 of the existing Telephone Regulations under the Post and Telegraph Act 1901-1950, specifically by incorporating the Postal and Telegraphic Services (General) Regulations. This means that the rules governing the telephoning of telegrams will now also adhere to the broader postal and telegraphic services regulations, which were previously separate. This amendment aims to streamline and unify the regulatory framework governing both telephone and telegram services, ensuring that they comply with the same overarching guidelines and standards.
The obligation imposed by this amendment is that all services related to the telephoning of telegrams must now comply with the Postal and Telegraphic Services (General) Regulations. This includes adhering to any specific requirements, standards, or procedures outlined within those regulations. Service providers must ensure that their operations, especially in the context of converting telegrams to telephonic communication, meet these unified standards. This includes maintaining the quality and reliability of services, ensuring proper record-keeping, and possibly implementing certain technical or procedural protocols as specified in the broader regulatory framework.
Failure to comply with the unified regulations could result in various consequences, depending on the severity of the breach. Offences under the Post and Telegraph Act may lead to civil penalties, which could include fines or other monetary penalties. In more severe cases, persistent or significant breaches could result in criminal charges, leading to potential imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the specific nature and impact of the non-compliance, but the regulations are clear that non-compliance will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate enforcement actions.