Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967

Legislation au C1967A00059 Not in force Act

Legislation content

Wireless Telegraphy

No. 59 of 1967

An Act to amend the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1966 in relation to Broadcasts from Ships in Waters adjacent to Australia.

[Assented to 11 September 1967]

BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967.

(2.) The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1966 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1967.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Definitions.

3. Section 2 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after the definition of “Australia” the following definitions:—

“‘Broadcast programme’ means matter intended for reception by the general public whether by means of a broadcast receiver or a television receiver;

‘Ship’ means any vessel used in navigation other than air navigation;”.

4. After section 6 of the Principal Act the following section is inserted:—

Broadcasts from ships in waters adjacent to Australia.

“6a.—(1.) Except as authorized by or under this Act, a person shall not, on a ship outside Australia but in waters adjacent to Australia—

(a) establish, maintain or use any station or appliance for the purpose of transmitting broadcast programmes by means of wireless telegraphy; or

(b) transmit a broadcast programme by means of wireless telegraphy.

“(2.) A person shall not, in Australia or in waters adjacent to Australia—

(a) sell or otherwise supply to another person any goods knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the goods are for use—

(i) in or in connexion with the making of unauthorized broadcasts; or


(ii) in or connexion with the navigation, working, operation or maintenance of a ship used, or to be used, in or in connexion with the making of unauthorized broadcasts;

(b) maintain or install, or do any act or thing in or in connexion with the maintenance or installation of, any appliance or apparatus knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the appliance or apparatus is used, or is to be used, in or in connexion with the making of unauthorized broadcasts;

(c) do any act or thing in or in connexion with the navigation, working, operation or maintenance of any ship which the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is used, or is to be used, in or in connexion with the making of unauthorized broadcasts; or

(d) transport any goods to a ship which the person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is used, or is to be used, in or in connexion with the making of unauthorized broadcasts.

“(3.) In the last preceding sub-section, ‘unauthorized broadcast’ means the transmission, except as authorized by or under this Act, of a broadcast programme by means of wireless telegraphy from a ship outside Australia but in waters adjacent to Australia.

Penalty: One thousand dollars or imprisonment for a term not exceeding Five years”.

5. After section 8 of the Principal Act the following section is inserted:—

Jurisdiction of courts.

“8a.—(1.) Subject to this section—

(a) the several courts of the States are invested with federal jurisdiction; and

(b) jurisdiction is conferred on the several courts of the Territories,

with respect to offences against section six a of this Act that are committed outside Australia.

“(2.) The jurisdiction invested in or conferred on courts by the last preceding sub-section is invested or conferred within the limits (other than limits having effect by reference to the places at which offences are committed) of their several jurisdictions, but, in the case of a court of a State, subject to the conditions and restrictions specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of sub-section (2.) of section thirty-nine of the Judiciary Act 1903–1966.

“(3.) The jurisdiction invested in a court of summary jurisdiction of a State by this section shall not be judically exercised except by a Chief, Police, Stipendiary, Resident or Special Magistrate.

“(4.) The trial on indictment of an offence against section six a of this Act that was not committed within any State may be held in any State or Territory.


“(5.) Subject to this Act, the laws of a State or Territory with respect to the arrest and custody of offenders or persons charged with offences and the procedure for—

(a) their summary conviction;

(b) their examination and commitment for trial on indictment;

(c) their trial and conviction on indictment; and

(d) the hearing and determination of appeals arising out of any such trial or conviction or out of any proceedings connected therewith,

and for holding accused persons to bail apply, so far as they are applicable, to a person who is charged in that State or Territory with an offence against section six a of this Act that was committed outside Australia.

“(6.) Except as provided by this Act, the Judiciary Act 1903–1966 applies in relation to offences against this Act.”.

Proceedings in respect of offences.

6. Section 9 of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by inserting in sub-section (1.), after the words “Court of Summary Jurisdiction”, the words “having jurisdiction with respect to the offence”; and

(b) by omitting from sub-section (1.) all the words after the word “section” and inserting in their stead the words “may be committed for trial or, with his consent, dealt with summarily”.

 

Overview

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967, enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, was introduced to address the issue of unauthorised broadcasts from ships in waters adjacent to Australia. This Act amended the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1966, expanding the definition of terms and introducing new provisions specifically targeting unauthorised broadcasts by ships. The primary objective was to regulate the establishment and use of wireless telegraphy stations on ships for broadcasting purposes, particularly in waters adjacent to Australia, thereby ensuring compliance with Australian regulations. This legislation aimed to prevent the transmission of broadcast programmes without proper authorisation and provided the necessary legal framework to enforce these regulations, including the jurisdiction of courts in handling related offences. The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 also conferred jurisdiction to state and territory courts for offences committed outside Australia, aligning with existing legal procedures for arrest, custody, and trial. This legislative amendment was essential to address the gap in existing laws concerning the oversight and regulation of broadcasts originating from ships near Australian waters, ensuring that such activities were conducted within the legal framework established by the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 amends the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1966 to specifically address the issue of unauthorised broadcast programmes by means of wireless telegraphy from ships in waters adjacent to Australia. The Act applies to any person engaged in activities such as establishing, maintaining, or using a station or appliance for transmitting broadcast programmes by wireless telegraphy, or selling, supplying, maintaining, installing, or transporting goods for use in the making of unauthorised broadcasts, within the defined geographical scope of waters adjacent to Australia. It extends to ships outside Australia but within the maritime zones adjacent to Australia. The Act imposes penalties of up to one thousand dollars or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years for those who contravene its provisions. Jurisdiction over offences committed outside Australia is conferred on the courts of the States and Territories, with the laws of each jurisdiction applying to the arrest, custody, and trial of offenders, as well as the procedure for conviction and appeal. The Act's scope and application are further defined and possibly extended through subordinate instruments, although the primary text does not provide specific details on these instruments.

Key Provisions

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 (C1967A00059) amends the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905–1966, primarily addressing the issue of broadcasts from ships in waters adjacent to Australia. According to section 6a(1), it is unlawful to establish, maintain, or use any station or appliance for the purpose of transmitting broadcast programmes by means of wireless telegraphy on a ship outside Australia but in waters adjacent to Australia, unless authorised by or under this Act. Section 6a(2) further prohibits various activities, including the supply of goods, maintenance or installation of appliances or apparatus, navigation, working, operation or maintenance of a ship, and the transport of goods to a ship, if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that these activities are in connection with making unauthorised broadcasts. An "unauthorised broadcast" is defined in section 6a(3) as the transmission of a broadcast programme by means of wireless telegraphy from a ship outside Australia but in waters adjacent to Australia, except as authorised by or under this Act. The Act imposes obligations on individuals and entities to ensure compliance with its provisions. It mandates that any activity involving the transmission of broadcast programmes by wireless telegraphy from ships in specified waters must be authorised by or under the Act. Furthermore, parties are required to avoid engaging in any activity that aids or facilitates unauthorised broadcasts, including the supply of goods, installation of equipment, or operation of ships in connection with such broadcasts. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in legal consequences as outlined in subsequent sections of the Act. Section 6a(3) stipulates that any person who contravenes the provisions of section 6a is liable to a penalty. Specifically, the penalty for an offence under this section is a fine of one thousand dollars or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both. This penalty applies to individuals who engage in activities prohibited by the Act, such as establishing unauthorised broadcast stations, supplying goods for unauthorised broadcasts, or operating ships in connection with such activities. The severity of the penalty underscores the importance of adhering to the regulations set forth in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967.

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Area of Law
Communications Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Offence Provisions
Penalty Provisions
Jurisdiction of Courts

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.