Telecommunications Standard 1997

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Telecommunications Act 1997

Act No. 47 of 1997 as amended

This compilation was prepared on 20 July 2008

taking into account amendments up to Act No. 22 of 2008

[Note: Subsections 531F(1) and (2) and paragraphs 531G(2)(e) and(3A)(e) cease to have effect on 27 May 2009, see subsections 531F(3),531G(3) and (3B)]

The text of any of those amendments not in forceon that date is appended in the Notes section

The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may beaffected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,Attorney-Generals Department, Canberra


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Telecommunications Act 1997 iii

Contents

Part 1Introduction 11 Short title [see Note 1].......................................................................12 Commencement [see Note 1].............................................................13 Objects...............................................................................................14 Regulatory policy .................... ...................... ....................... ............. 35 Simplified outline .................... ....................... ...................... ............. 36 Main index.................... ....................... ....................... ....................... 77 Definitions.........................................................................................88 Crown to be bound ....................... ........................ ....................... ....189 Extra-territorial application ....................... ........................ .............. 1810 Extension to external Territories ........................ ....................... ......1811 Extension to offshore areas............................ ........................ .......... 19

11A Application of the Criminal Code ...................................................19 12 Act subject to Radiocommunications Act.......................... .............. 2013 Continuity of partnerships ....................... ........................ ................ 2014 Controlled carriage services, controlled networks and

controlled facilities ....................... ...................... ....................... ......2015 Content service..................... ....................... ....................... ............. 2116 Listed carriage services ...................... ........................ ..................... 2218 Access to an emergency call service............................... ................. 2319 Recognised person who operates an emergency call service...... .....2320 Customer cabling........... ...................... ....................... ..................... 2321 Customer equipment................... ....................... ....................... .......2422 Customer cabling and customer equipmentboundary of a

telecommunications network...........................................................2523 Immediate circle ....................... ....................... ....................... ......... 2724 Extended meaning ofuse.................................................................31

Part 2Network units 32

Division 1Simplified outline 3225 Simplified outline ..................... ....................... ....................... ......... 32

Division 2Basic definition 3326 Single line links connecting distinct places in Australia.................. 3327 Multiple line links connecting distinct places in Australia .............. 3328 Designated radiocommunications facility.......................... .............. 3429 Facilities specified in Ministerial determination........................ ......35

Division 3Related definitions 3630 Line links... ....................... ........................ ....................... ................ 3631 Designated radiocommunications facility.......................... .............. 3632 Public mobile telecommunications service................... ................... 38


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33 Intercell hand-over functions.. ........................ ........................ ......... 3934 When a base station is part of a terrestrial

radiocommunications customer access network........................ ......4035 Fixed radiocommunications link .................... ....................... .......... 41

Division 4Distinct places 4336 Distinct placesbasic rules........................ ....................... .............. 4337 Properties.........................................................................................4338 Combined areas .................... ....................... ...................... .............. 4439 Principal user of a property ..................... ....................... ................. 4540 Eligible combined areas................................... ....................... ......... 45

Part 3Carriers 46


Division 2Prohibitions relating to carriers 4742 Network unit not to be used without carrier licence or

nominated carrier declaration ..................... ....................... .............. 4743 Continuing offences................................. ....................... ................. 4844 Supply to the public...... ....................... ....................... ..................... 4845 Exemptiondefence....................... ....................... ...................... ...5046 Exemptionintelligence operations........................... ..................... 5047 Exemptiontransport authorities................ ....................... ............. 5148 Exemptionbroadcasting services................................ .................. 5249 Exemptionelectricity supply bodies....... ........................ .............. 5450 Exemptionline links authorised by or under previous laws .........5451 ExemptionMinisterial determination ........................ ................... 56

Division 3Carrier licences 5852 Applications for carrier licence ...................... ....................... .......... 5853 Form of application etc............. ....................... ....................... ......... 5853A Copy of application to be given to Communications Access

Co-ordinator ...................... ....................... ....................... ................ 5854 Application to be accompanied by charge........................ ............... 5855 Further information ..................... ....................... ....................... ......5856 Grant of licence .................... ....................... ........................ ............ 5956A Consultation with Communications Access Co-ordinator............... 5957 Carrier licence has effect subject to this Act................................. ...6058 Refusal of carrier licencedisqualified applicant.... ....................... 6158A Refusal of carrier licencesecurity ...................... ........................ ..63

59 Time limit on licence decision................. ....................... ................. 6460 Notification of refusal of application............ ........................ ........... 6761 Conditions of carrier licence specified in Schedule 1...................... 6761A Review before 1 July 2009 of conditions relating to

operational separation of Telstra ....................... ........................ ......67


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Telecommunications Act 1997 v

62 Condition of carrier licence set out in section 152AZ of theTrade Practices Act 1974 ................................................................68

63 Conditions of carrier licence declared by Minister.. ........................ 6864 Consultation about declared licence conditions......... ...................... 7065 Conditions about foreign ownership or control ........................ .......7167 Carrier licence conditionsspecial provisions.......................... ......7168 Compliance with conditions ........................ ........................ ............ 7169 Remedial directionsbreach of condition ....................... ............... 7269A Remedial directionsbreach by Telstra of conditions

relating to operational separation.....................................................7369B Review by the Australian Competition Tribunal of remedial

directions given by the ACCC.........................................................7370 Formal warningsbreach of condition ....................... .................... 7571 Surrender of carrier licence ........................ ........................ ............. 7572 Cancellation of carrier licence........................ ........................ ......... 76

73 Collection of charges relating to carrier licences.............. ............... 7773A Refund of application charge............. ........................ ...................... 7974 Collection of charges on behalf of the Commonwealth................... 7975 Cancellation of certain exemptions from charge ....................... ......7976 Commonwealth not liable to charge ...................... ........................ ..80

Division 4Nominated carrier declarations 8177 Applications for nominated carrier declarations...... ........................ 8178 Application to be accompanied by charge etc. .......................... ......8179 Form of application etc............. ....................... ....................... ......... 8180 Further information ..................... ....................... ....................... ......8181 Making a nominated carrier declaration .................... ...................... 8281A Obligations of nominated carrier.................... ....................... .......... 8282 Notification of refusal of application............ ........................ ........... 8383 Revocation of nominated carrier declaration... ........................ ........83

Division 5Register of nominated carrier declarations and

carrier licences 8584 Register of nominated carrier declarations and carrier

licences............................................................................................85

Part 4Service providers 86


Division 2Service providers 87

86 Service providers...................... ....................... ....................... ......... 87Division 3Carriage service providers 88

87 Carriage service providers ....................... ........................ ................ 8888 Supply to the public...... ....................... ....................... ..................... 90


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89 Exemption from definitioncustomers located on the samepremises...........................................................................................91

90 Exemption from definitiondefence.................... ........................ ..9191 Exemption from definitionintelligence operations....................... 9292 Exemption from definitiontransport authorities................ ........... 9293 Exemption from definitionbroadcasting services......................... 9394 Exemption from definitionelectricity supply bodies.... ................ 9495 Exemption from definitionMinisterial determination .................. 9496 Exemption from certain regulatory provisionsMinisterial

determination...................................................................................95

Division 4Content service providers 9697 Content service providers ..................... ....................... .................... 96

Division 5Service provider rules 9798 Service provider rules....... ....................... ....................... ................. 97

99 Service provider determinations......................... ....................... ......97100 Exemptions from service provider rules ........................ .................. 98101 Service providers must comply with service provider rules ............ 98102 Remedial directionsbreach of service provider rules ................... 99103 Formal warningsbreach of service provider rules..... ................. 100

Part 5Monitoring of the performance of carriers and

carriage service providers 101104 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 101105 Monitoring of performanceannual report................... ................ 101105A Monitoring of performanceadditional report ......................... ....103

Part 6Industry codes and industry standards 104

Division 1Simplified outline 104106 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 104

Division 2Interpretation 105107 Industry codes............................ ....................... ...................... ....... 105108 Industry standards......................... ....................... ....................... ...105108A Electronic messaging service provider ....................... ................... 105108B Telecommunications industry............... ....................... .................. 105109 Telecommunications activity................ ....................... .................. 106109A E-marketing activity ..................... ....................... ....................... ...106109B Telemarketing activity....... ....................... ...................... ............... 107110 Sections of the telecommunications industry ..................... ........... 109

110A Sections of the e-marketing industry ....................... ...................... 110110B Sections of the telemarketing industry................... ........................ 111111 Participants in a section of the telecommunications industry ........ 112111A Participants in a section of the e-marketing industry ..................... 112111AA Participants in a section of the telemarketing industry .................. 112


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134 Consultation with Privacy Commissioner ...................... ............... 135135 Consultation with consumer body ....................... ........................ ..136135A Consultation with the States and Territories....... ........................ ...136

Division 6Register of industry codes and industry standards 137

136 ACMA to maintain Register of industry codes and industrystandards........................................................................................137

Division 6AReimbursement of costs of development of

consumer-related industry codes 138136A Application for eligibility for reimbursement of costs of

development of consumer-related industry code ....................... ....138136B Declaration of eligibility for reimbursement of costs of

development of consumer-related industry code ....................... ....139136C Reimbursement of costs of developing consumer-related

industry code ..................... ....................... ........................ ............. 140

136D Coststransactions between persons not at arms length ............. 141136E Refundable cost ..................... ....................... ...................... ........... 142

Division 7Miscellaneous 143137 Protection from civil proceedings.................... ....................... ....... 143138 Implied freedom of political communication................................. 143139 Agreements for the carrying on of telemarketing activities

must require compliance with this Part..........................................143

Part 13Protection of communications 145

Division 1Introduction 145270 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 145271 Eligible person................ ...................... ....................... .................. 145

272 Number-database operator and eligible number-databaseperson ...................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ...146273 Information....................................................................................146274 Telecommunications contractor......................... ........................ ....146275 Number-database contractor........ ........................ ........................ ..146275A Location information..................... ...................... ....................... ...147

Division 2Primary disclosure/use offences 148276 Primary disclosure/use offenceeligible persons ......................... 148277 Primary disclosure/use offenceeligible number-database

persons...........................................................................................150 278 Primary disclosure/use offenceemergency call persons........ .....151

Division 3Exceptions to primary disclosure/use offences 153

Subdivision AExceptions 153279 Performance of persons duties ....................... ....................... ....... 153280 Authorisation by or under law ...................... ....................... .......... 154281 Witnesses.......................................................................................154


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284 Assisting the ACMA, the ACCC or the TelecommunicationsIndustry Ombudsman .................... ...................... ....................... ...155

285 Integrated public number database ...................... ....................... ...155286 Calls to emergency service number ....................... ........................ 159287 Threat to persons life or health........... ....................... ................... 159288 Communications for maritime purposes....... ......................... ........ 160289 Knowledge or consent of person concerned ....................... ........... 160290 Implicit consent of sender and recipient of communication .......... 160291 Business needs of other carriers or service providers .................... 161292 Circumstances prescribed in the regulations........................... ....... 163293 Uses connected with exempt disclosures............ ....................... ....163294 Effect of this Subdivision ....................... ........................ ............... 164

Subdivision BBurden of proof 164295 Burden of proof .................... ....................... ....................... ........... 164

Division 3AIntegrated public number database authorisations 165Subdivision AACMA scheme for the granting of authorisations 165

295A ACMA to make integrated public number database scheme......... 165295B Scheme must deal with certain matters........................... ............... 165295C Applications may be treated differently..................... .................... 165295D Scope of authorisations........................ ........................ .................. 166295E Provisional and final authorisations......................... ...................... 166295F Conditions .................... ....................... ....................... ................... 166295G Varying or revoking authorisations ..................... ........................ ..166295H Scheme may confer administrative powers on the ACMA............ 166295J Ancillary or incidental provisions............................ ...................... 166295K Scheme-making power not limited...................... ....................... ...167295L Variation of scheme.......................... ....................... ...................... 167295M Consultation ..................... ....................... ....................... ............... 167

Subdivision BMinisterial instruments 167295N Criteria for deciding authorisation applications............. ................ 167295P Conditions .................... ....................... ....................... ................... 168295Q Other reviewable decisions................... ....................... .................. 168

Subdivision CEnforcing compliance with conditions of

authorisations 168295R Offence of breaching a condition ....................... ........................ ...168295S Remedial directions for breaching a condition ....................... ....... 169295T Formal warnings for breaching a condition ........................ ........... 169

Subdivision DReport to Minister 169295U Report to Minister ..................... ...................... ....................... ....... 169

Division 4Secondary disclosure/use offences 171296 Performance of persons duties ....................... ....................... ....... 171


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297 Authorisation by or under law ...................... ....................... .......... 171299 Assisting the ACMA, the ACCC or the Telecommunications

Industry Ombudsman .................... ...................... ....................... ...171299A Integrated public number database ..................... ........................ ...172300 Threat to persons life or health........... ....................... ................... 173301 Communications for maritime purposes....... ......................... ........ 173302 Business needs of other carriers or service providers .................... 173303 Secondary offencecontravening this Division ........................ ...174303A Generality of Division not limited....................... ....................... ...174

Division 4ARelationship with the Privacy Act 1988 175303B Acts taken to be authorised by law for purposes of Privacy

Act.................................................................................................175 303C Prosecution of an offence against this Part does not affect

proceedings under the Privacy Act 1988 .......................................175

Division 5Record-keeping requirements 176304 Associate .................... ...................... ....................... ...................... 176305 Authorisations under the Telecommunications (Interception

and Access) Act 1979.....................................................................176 306 Record of disclosuresgeneral ...................... ........................ ....... 176306A Record of disclosuresprospective authorisation under the

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 .............178307 Incorrect records........... ....................... ....................... ................... 179308 Annual reports to the ACMA by carriers, carriage service

providers or number-database operators........................................179309 Monitoring by the Privacy Commissioner.............. ....................... 180

Division 6Instrument-making powers not limited 181310 Instrument-making powers not limited....... ........................ ........... 181

Part 14National interest matters 182

311 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 182312 ACMAs obligations ....................... ...................... ....................... .182313 Obligations of carriers and carriage service providers................ ...183314 Terms and conditions on which help is to be given....................... 185315 Suspension of supply of carriage service in an emergency............ 186316 Generality of Part not limited ...................... ....................... ........... 187

Part 16Defence requirements and disaster plans 188

Division 1Introduction 188333 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 188

334 Defence authority ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 188Division 2Supply of carriage services 189

335 Requirement to supply carriage services for defencepurposes or for the management of natural disasters.....................189


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Division 3Defence planning 191336 Definitions.....................................................................................191

337 Preparation of draft agreement ....................... ........................ ....... 191338 ACMAs certification of draft agreement...................... ................ 192339 Requirement to enter into certified agreement........................... ....193340 Compliance with agreement ....................... ....................... ............ 193341 Withdrawal of certification of agreement...... ........................ ........ 193342 Duration of agreement......... ....................... ....................... ............ 193343 Variation of agreement....................... ....................... .................... 194

Division 4Disaster plans 195344 Designated disaster plans......................... ....................... ............... 195345 Carrier licence conditions about designated disaster plans............ 195346 Service provider determinations about designated disaster

plans ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ..195

346A Carrier and carriage service provider immunity ........................ ....195Division 5Delegation 196

347 Delegation ..................... ....................... ....................... .................. 196

Part 17Pre-selection in favour of carriage service providers 197348 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 197349 Requirement to provide pre-selection................. ....................... ....197350 When pre-selection is provided in favour of a carriage

service provider .................... ....................... ....................... ........... 198350A Declared carriage services..................... ........................ ................ 199351 Pre-selection to be provided ..................... ....................... .............. 200352 Exemptions from requirement to provide pre-selection................. 201

353 Use of over-ride dial codes......................... ....................... ............ 201Part 18Calling line identification 203

354 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 203355 Calling line identification ....................... ........................ ............... 203356 Exemptions from calling line identification requirement .............. 203

Part 19Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) 205357 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 205358 Meaning ofAMPS .........................................................................205 359 Scope of Part ...................... ...................... ....................... .............. 205360 No new AMPS....................... ....................... ...................... ........... 205361 AMPS to be phased out ....................... ........................ .................. 205

362 Limited exemption from phase-out of AMPS............................. ...206363 Competition not to be reduced..................... ........................ .......... 207


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Part 20International aspects of activities of the

telecommunications industry 208


Division 2Compliance with international agreements 209365 INTELSAT and Inmarsatdirections to Signatories.................... 209366 Compliance with conventions........................... ....................... ...... 209

Division 3Rules of conduct about dealings with international

telecommunications operators 211367 Rules of conduct about dealings with international

telecommunications operators ...................... ....................... .......... 211368 ACCC to administer Rules of Conduct....................... ................... 213369 Rules of Conduct to bind carriers and carriage service

providers........................................................................................213 370 Unenforceability of agreements............................... ...................... 214371 Investigations by the ACCC..................... ....................... .............. 214372 Reviews of the operation of this Division....................... ............... 214

Part 21Technical regulation 216


Division 2Interpretative provisions 218374 Part applies to networks or facilities in Australia operated by

carriers or carriage service providers.............................................218375 Manager of network or facility.................... ........................ .......... 218

Division 3Technical standards about customer equipment andcustomer cabling 219

376 ACMAs power to make technical standards ........................ ........ 219377 Adoption of voluntary standards .................... ........................ ....... 220378 Procedures for making technical standards........................ ............ 220379 Making technical standards in cases of urgency........................ ....221

Division 4Disability standards 223380 Disability standards ....................... ...................... ....................... ...223381 Adoption of voluntary standards .................... ........................ ....... 224382 Procedures for making disability standards ...................... ............. 224383 Effect of compliance with disability standards....................... ....... 225

Division 5Technical standards about the interconnection offacilities 226

384 ACMAs power to make technical standards ........................ ........ 226385 Adoption of voluntary standards .................... ........................ ....... 227386 Procedures for making technical standards........................ ............ 227


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387 Procedures for making technical standards........................ ............ 228388 Provision of access ....................... ....................... ....................... ... 229389 Promotion of the long-term interests of end-users of carriage

services and of services supplied by means of carriageservices..........................................................................................229

Division 6Connection permits and connection rules 230

Subdivision AConnection permits authorising the connection of

non-standard customer equipment and

non-standard cabling 230390 Application for connection permit....... ....................... ................... 230391 Form of application ....................... ...................... ....................... ...230392 Application to be accompanied by charge...................... ............... 231393 Further information ....................... ...................... ....................... ...231394 Issue of connection permits ..................... ........................ .............. 231

395 Connection permit has effect subject to this Act ....................... ....232396 Nominees of holder ....................... ...................... ....................... ...232397 Duration of connection permits ....................... ....................... ....... 232398 Conditions of connection permits.... ....................... ....................... 232399 Offence of contravening condition ...................... ....................... ...233400 Formal warningsbreach of condition ..................... .................... 234401 Surrender of connection permit ....................... ........................ ...... 234402 Cancellation of connection permit....... ....................... ................... 234403 Register of connection permits ........................ ....................... ....... 234

Subdivision BConnection rules 235404 Connection rules........ ....................... ....................... ...................... 235405 Procedures for making connection rules........ ......................... ....... 236

Division 7Labelling of customer equipment and customercabling 238

406 Application of labels.......................... ....................... ..................... 238406A Application of Division to agent of manufacturer or importer ......238407 Labelling requirements......... ....................... ....................... ........... 238408 Requirements to apply labelsancillary matters ...................... ....239409 Recognised testing authorities and competent bodies.................... 240410 Certification bodies ....................... ...................... ....................... ...241411 Connection of customer equipment or customer cabling

breach of section 376 standards.....................................................241412 Connection of labelled customer equipment or customer

cabling not to be refused................................................................243

413 Supply of unlabelled customer equipment or unlabelledcustomer cabling............................................................................244

414 Applying labels before satisfying requirements undersubsection 408(5) ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 245

415 Failure to retain records etc. .................... ........................ .............. 245


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416 Application of labels containing false statements aboutcompliance with standards.............................................................246

Division 8Protected symbols 247417 Protected symbols...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 247

Division 9Cabling providers 251418 Cabling work ...................... ...................... ....................... .............. 251419 Types of cabling work ...................... ....................... ...................... 251420 Prohibition of unauthorised cabling work....................... ............... 251421 Cabling provider rules ...................... ....................... ...................... 252422 Procedures for making cabling provider rules ........................ ....... 253423 Application for cabling licence....................... ........................ ....... 253424 Form of application ....................... ...................... ....................... ...254425 Application to be accompanied by charge...................... ............... 254426 Further information ....................... ...................... ....................... ...254

427 Grant of cabling licence...................... ........................ ................... 254428 Time limit on licence decision.................. ....................... .............. 255429 Notification of refusal of application.............. ....................... ........ 255430 Cabling licence has effect subject to this Act ....................... ......... 255431 Duration of cabling licence.............................. ....................... ....... 256432 Conditions of cabling licence ...................... ........................ .......... 256433 Procedures for changing licence conditions ....................... ........... 256434 Offence in relation to contravening condition ........................ ....... 257435 Formal warningsbreach of condition ..................... .................... 258436 Surrender of cabling licence..................... ....................... .............. 258437 Suspension of cabling licence.......................... ........................ ...... 258438 Cancellation of cabling licence....................... ........................ ....... 259

439 ACMA may limit application of Division in relation tocustomer cabling............................................................................259

440 Ministerial directions........... ....................... ...................... ............. 260441 Delegation ..................... ....................... ....................... .................. 260442 Register of cabling licences....... ....................... ....................... ...... 261

Division 10Remedies for unauthorised connections to

telecommunications networks etc. 262443 Civil action for unauthorised connections to

telecommunications networks etc..................................................262444 Remedy for contravention of labelling requirements..................... 263445 Remedies for connection of unlabelled customer equipment

or unlabelled customer cabling......................................................264

446 Disconnection of dangerous customer equipment orcustomer cabling............................................................................266

447 Disconnection of customer equipment or customer cablingprotection of the integrity of networks and facilities ..................... 267


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448 Civil action for dangerous connections totelecommunications networks etc..................................................268

449 Other remedies not affected........................ ....................... ............ 269

Division 11Prohibited customer equipment and prohibited

customer cabling 270450 Declaration of prohibited customer equipment or prohibited

customer cabling............................................................................270451 Consultation on proposed declaration................................ ............ 271452 Operation of prohibited customer equipment or customer

cabling ....................... ....................... ....................... ...................... 271

Division 12Pre-commencement labels 272453 Pre-commencement labels. ....................... ....................... .............. 272

Division 13Penalties payable instead of prosecution 273453A Penalties payable instead of prosecution ........................ ............... 273

Part 22Numbering of carriage services and regulation of

electronic addressing 274


Division 2Numbering of carriage services 275

Subdivision ANumbering plan 275455 Numbering plan..................... ....................... ...................... ........... 275456 Numbering plansupply to the public........ ....................... ........... 276457 Numbering planallocation otherwise than in accordance

with an allocation system ..................... ....................... .................. 277458 Numbering planrules about portability of allocated

numbers ...................... ....................... ...................... ...................... 277459 ACMA to administer numbering plan ........................ ................... 278460 Consultation about numbering plan......................... ...................... 278461 Consultation with ACCC............. ........................ ........................ ..280462 Compliance with the numbering plan..................... ....................... 280

Subdivision BAllocation system for numbers 281463 Allocation system for numbers.... ....................... ........................ ...281464 Consultation about an allocation system................................. ....... 282

Subdivision CMiscellaneous 283465 Register of allocated numbers ..................... ....................... ........... 283466 Emergency service numbers......................... ....................... .......... 284

467 Delegation ..................... ....................... ....................... .................. 285468 Collection of numbering charges............. ....................... ............... 286469 Collection of charges on behalf of the Commonwealth................. 288470 Cancellation of certain exemptions from charge ........................ ...288471 Commonwealth not liable to charge ....................... ....................... 288


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472 Integrated public number database ...................... ....................... ...289473 Letters and symbols taken to be numbers ....................... ............... 289

Division 3Regulation of electronic addressing 290474 Declared manager of electronic addressing ........................ ........... 290475 ACMA may give directions to declared manager of

electronic addressing .................... ....................... ....................... ...290476 ACCC may give directions to declared manager of electronic

addressing......................................................................................291 477 ACCCs directions to prevail over the ACMAs directions .......... 292

Part 23Standard agreements for the supply of carriage

services 293478 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 293479 Standard terms and conditions apply unless excluded... ................ 293480 Standard form of agreement to be publicly available .................... 294480A Other information to be publicly available ......................... ........... 295481 Standard form of agreement to be given to the ACMA................. 296482 Concurrent operation of State/Territory laws .......................... ...... 296483 Trade Practices Act not affected by this Part... .......................... ....296

Part 24Carriers powers and immunities 297484 Schedule 3 ...................... ....................... ...................... .................. 297

Part 24ASubmarine cables 298484A Schedule 3A ....................... ....................... ....................... ............. 298

Part 25Public inquiries 299


Division 2Inquiries by the ACMA 300486 When inquiry must be held............. ........................ ....................... 300487 When inquiry may be held.................... ....................... .................. 300488 Informing the public about an inquiry ..................... ...................... 301489 Discussion paper................... ....................... ....................... ........... 301490 Written submissions and protection from civil actions......... ......... 301491 Hearings .................... ....................... ........................ ..................... 302492 Hearing to be in public except in exceptional cases ...................... 303493 Confidential material not to be published......................... ............. 303494 Direction about private hearings.................. ........................ .......... 304

495 Reports on inquiries................... ...................... ....................... ....... 305Division 3Inquiries by the ACCC 307

496 When inquiry must be held............. ........................ ....................... 307497 When inquiry may be held.................... ....................... .................. 307498 Informing the public about an inquiry ..................... ...................... 307


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499 Discussion paper................... ....................... ....................... ........... 308500 Written submissions and protection from civil actions......... ......... 308501 Hearings .................... ....................... ........................ ..................... 309

502 Hearing to be in public except in exceptional cases ...................... 309503 Confidential material not to be published......................... ............. 310504 Direction about private hearings.................. ........................ .......... 311505 Reports on inquiries................... ...................... ....................... ....... 312506 ACCCs other powers not limited ..................... ........................ ....312

Part 26Investigations 313507 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 313508 Matters to which this Part applies............... ........................ ........... 313509 Complaints to the ACMA............. ....................... ........................ ..314510 Investigations by the ACMA.... ........................ ....................... ...... 315511 Preliminary inquiries ..................... ...................... ....................... ...316

512 Conduct of investigations .................... ........................ .................. 316513 Complainant and certain other persons to be informed of

various matters ...................... ....................... ....................... .......... 317514 Reference of matters to Ombudsman or other responsible

person ...................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ...317515 Reference of matters to the ACCC ......................... ....................... 319515A Reference of matters to Privacy Commissioner............................. 320516 Reports on investigations............................ ........................ ........... 321517 Publication of reports ........................ ....................... ..................... 321518 Person adversely affected by report to be given opportunity

to comment....................................................................................322519 Protection from civil actions....................... ........................ ........... 322

Part 27The ACMAs information-gathering powers 324Division 1Simplified outline 324

520 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 324

Division 2Information-gathering powers 325521 The ACMA may obtain information and documents from

carriers and service providers ....................... ....................... .......... 325522 The ACMA may obtain information and documents from

other persons..................................................................................326523 Copying documentsreasonable compensation ........................ ...328524 Self-incrimination..........................................................................328525 Giving false or misleading information or evidence............... ....... 328527 Copies of documents ..................... ...................... ....................... ...329

528 ACMA may retain documents......................... ........................ ...... 329

Division 3Record-keeping rules 330529 ACMA may make record-keeping rules ......................... ............... 330530 Compliance with record-keeping rules ....................... ................... 330


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531 Incorrect records........... ....................... ....................... ................... 331

Part 27AInformation relating to a broadband

telecommunications network 332

Division 1Introduction 332531A Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 332531B Definitions.....................................................................................332531C Designated information ...................... ........................ ................... 335531D Designated request for proposal notice.............. ......................... ...337531E Action by the Commonwealth......... ....................... ....................... 338

Division 2Carriers must give information to an authorised

information officer 339531F Carriers must give information to an authorised information

officer [see Note 1]........................................................................339

Division 3Protection of information 340531G Protection of informationentrusted public officials [see

Note 1]...........................................................................................340531H Disclosure of protected carrier information to a company............. 345531J Stay of decisions.................... ....................... ...................... ........... 347531K Protection of informationentrusted company officer ................. 347531L Compensation of carrier for loss or damage....................... ........... 349531M Appointment of authorised information officers ....................... ....350531N Restricted recipients rules................. ........................ ..................... 351531P Storage, handling or destruction of protected carrier

information....................................................................................351 531Q Submissions by companies....... ....................... ........................ ...... 352

Part 28Enforcement 353

Division 1Introduction 353532 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 353532A References to the Spam Act 2003 ..................................................354

Division 2Inspectors and identity cards 355533 Inspectors ...................... ....................... ....................... .................. 355534 Identity cards ..................... ....................... ....................... .............. 356

Division 3Search warrants relating to breaches of the Spam

Act 2003 or Part 21 of this Act 357535 Magistrate may issue warrant ....................... ....................... .......... 357536 Reasonable grounds for issuing warrant etc. ...................... ........... 357537 Contents of warrant ....................... ...................... ....................... ...358538 Warrants may be issued by telephone etc. ......................... ............ 358539 Provisions relating to issue of warrant by telephone etc...... .......... 358540 Proceedings involving warrant issued by telephone etc................. 360


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Division 4Searches and seizures relating to breaches of the

Spam Act 2003 or Part 21 of this Act 361

541 When is a thing connected with an offence?.................................. 361541A When is a thing connected with a breach of the Spam Act2003? ....................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ...361

542 Searches and seizures ................... ....................... ...................... ....361543 Production of identity card etc................. ....................... ............... 362544 Evidence of commission of other offences against Part 21 of

this Act or other breaches of the Spam Act 2003 ...........................363 545 Emergency entry, search and seizure...................... ....................... 364546 Retention of things seized............................. ....................... .......... 365

Division 5Searches to monitor compliance with Part 21 366547 Searches to monitor compliance with Part 21............ .................... 366

Division 5ASearches to monitor compliance with the Spam

Act 2003 367547A Powers available to inspectors for monitoring compliance ........... 367547B Monitoring powers .................... ...................... ....................... ....... 367547C Production of identity card etc................. ....................... ............... 369547D Monitoring warrants ...................... ....................... ....................... ..369547E Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc. ....................... ....... 370547F Announcement before entry ..................... ....................... .............. 371547G Compensation for damage to equipment ....................... ................ 371547H Occupier entitled to be present during search........... ..................... 372

Division 5BAccess to computer data that is relevant to the

Spam Act 2003 373547J Access to computer data that is relevant to the Spam Act

2003...............................................................................................373

Division 6Other powers of inspectors 375548 General powers of inspectors............................... ........................ ..375549 Power to require information etc. .................... ....................... ....... 376550 Retention of documents........................ ....................... .................. 378

Division 7Forfeiture 379551 Court may order forfeiture................... ....................... ................... 379552 Forfeited goods may be sold....... ........................ ........................ ...379

Division 8Future offences 380553 Offences that are going to be committed....................... ................ 380

Part 29Review of decisions 381554 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 381555 Decisions that may be subject to reconsideration by the

ACMA...........................................................................................381 556 Deadlines for reaching certain decisions .................... ................... 381


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557 Statements to accompany notification of decisions ....................... 381558 Applications for reconsideration of decisions.................... ............ 382559 Reconsideration by the ACMA ....................... ....................... ....... 382

560 Deadlines for reconsiderations ..................... ....................... .......... 383561 Statements to accompany notification of decisions on

reconsideration ..................... ........................ ....................... .......... 383562 Review by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal............... ............ 383

Part 30Injunctions 384563 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 384564 Injunctions.....................................................................................384565 Interim injunctions........................ ....................... ....................... ...385566 Discharge etc. of injunctions ...................... ........................ ........... 386567 Certain limits on granting injunctions not to apply................. ....... 386568 Other powers of the court unaffected ..................... ....................... 387

Part 31Civil penalties 388569 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 388570 Pecuniary penalties for contravention of civil penalty

provisions ...................... ....................... ....................... .................. 388571 Civil action for recovery of pecuniary penalties...... ...................... 389572 Criminal proceedings not to be brought for contravention of

civil penalty provisions..................................................................390

Part 31AEnforceable undertakings 391572A Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 391572B Acceptance of undertakings..................... ....................... ............... 391572C Enforcement of undertakings................... ....................... ............... 392

Part 32Vicarious liability 393573 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 393574 Proceedings under this Act ...................... ....................... ............... 393574A Definition ...................... ....................... ....................... .................. 393575 Liability of corporations ...................... ........................ .................. 393576 Liability of persons other than corporations ....................... ........... 395

Part 34Special provisions relating to functions and powers of

the ACMA and the Attorney-General in respect of

telecommunications 397579 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 397580 ACMA must have regard to conventions....................... ................ 397581 Power to give directions to carriers and service providers............. 398

Part 35Miscellaneous 400582 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 400583 Penalties for certain continuing offences........... ........................ ....401


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584 Procedure relating to certain continuing offences.......................... 401585 Treatment of partnerships.... ........................ ........................ .......... 402586 Giving of documents to partnerships...................... ....................... 403

587 Nomination of address for service of documents........................... 403588 Service of summons or process on foreign corporations

criminal proceedings ....................... ...................... ....................... .404589 Instruments under this Act may provide for matters by

reference to other instruments ..................... ....................... ........... 404590 Arbitrationacquisition of property ...................... ....................... 406591 Compensationconstitutional safety net ....................... ............... 406592 Act not to affect performance of State or Territory functions........ 407593 Funding of consumer representation, and of research, in

relation to telecommunications......................................................407594 Regulations....................................................................................408

Schedule 1Standard carrier licence conditions 409Part 1Compliance with this Act 409

1 Compliance with this Act .................... ....................... ................... 409

Part 3Access to supplementary facilities 41016 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 41017 Access to supplementary facilities.......................... ....................... 41018 Terms and conditions of access ...................... ........................ ....... 41119 Ministerial pricing determinations...................... ........................ ...412

Part 4Access to network information 41320 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 41321 Access to network information.... ........................ ....................... ...41322 Access to information in databases.............................. .................. 41423 Access to network planning information ....................... ................ 41424 Access to information about likely changes to network

facilitiescompletion success rate of calls ........................ ........... 41525 Access to quality of service information etc......... ......................... 41526 Security procedures ....................... ...................... ....................... ...41727 Terms and conditions of compliance.. ........................ ................... 41727A Code relating to access to information ...................... .................... 41828 Ministerial pricing determinations...................... ........................ ...41829 Consultation about reconfiguration etc....... ........................ ........... 41929A Code relating to consultation....................... ........................ .......... 419

Part 5Access to telecommunications transmission towers andto underground facilities 421

30 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 42131 Definitions.....................................................................................42132 Extended meaning ofaccess..........................................................422


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33 Access to telecommunications transmission towers ...................... 42234 Access to sites of telecommunications transmission towers........ ..42335 Access to eligible underground facilities............ ....................... ....424

36 Terms and conditions of access ...................... ........................ ....... 42537 Code relating to access .................... ....................... ....................... 42638 Industry co-operation about sharing of sites and eligible

underground facilities....................................................................42739 This Part does not limit Part 3 of this Schedule........ ..................... 427

Part 6Inspection of facilities etc. 42840 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 42841 Records relating to underground facilities.......... ....................... ....42842 Regular inspection of facilities ...................... ........................ ........ 42943 Prompt investigation of dangerous facilities........................... ....... 42944 Remedial action........................ ....................... ....................... ....... 429

Part 7Any-to-any connectivity 43144A Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 43145 Definitions.....................................................................................43146 Carriers must obtain designated interconnection services

from carriage service providers for the purpose of ensuringany-to-any connectivity.................... ....................... ...................... 431

47 Designated interconnection services....................... ....................... 433

Part 8Operational separation of Telstra 434

Division 1Introduction 43448 Aim and objects.......... ....................... ...................... ...................... 43449 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 43650 Definitions.....................................................................................43650A Designated services ..................... ........................ ....................... ...43750B Declared network services................ ....................... ...................... 43850C Notional contracts........................ ....................... ........................ ...438

Division 2Operational separation plan 43951 Contents of draft or final operational separation plan................ ....43952 Draft operational separation plan to be given to Minister.............. 44053 Public commentdraft operational separation plan............. ......... 44054 Approval of draft by Minister............... ....................... .................. 44055 Effect of approval...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 44156 Variation of final operational separation plan......................... ....... 44256A Minister may direct Telstra to vary final operational

separation plan...............................................................................44357 Public commentvariation of final operational separation

plan................................................................................................443 58 Publication of final operational separation plan ........................ ....444


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Division 3Rectification plan 44559 Contents of draft or final rectification plan..................... ............... 445

60 Draft rectification plan to be given to Minister.............................. 44561 Approval of draft by Minister............... ....................... .................. 44562 Effect of approval...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 44763 Variation of final rectification plan .................... ........................ ...44764 Minister may direct Telstra to vary final rectification plan ........... 44865 Compliance with final rectification plan......................... ............... 44866 Publication of final rectification plan ..................... ....................... 448

Schedule 2Standard service provider rules 449

Part 1Compliance with this Act 4491 Compliance with this Act .................... ....................... ................... 449

Part 2Operator services 4502 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 4503 Scope of Part ..................... ........................ ....................... ............. 4504 Operator services must be provided to end-users of a

standard telephone service.............................................................4505 Access to end-users of other carriage service providers ................ 450

Part 3Directory assistance services 4526 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 4527 Directory assistance services must be provided to end-users.........4528 Access by end-users of other carriage service providers ............... 452

Part 4Integrated public number database 4549 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 45410 Carriage service providers must give information to Telstra.... .....45411 Carriage service providers must give information to another

person or association ....................... ....................... ....................... 454

Part 5Itemised billing 45612 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 45613 Itemised billing.... ...................... ....................... ...................... ....... 45614 Exemptions from itemised billing requirements............ ................ 45815 Details that are not to be specified in an itemised bill ................... 458

Schedule 3Carriers powers and immunities 459

Part 1General provisions 459

Division 1Simplified outline and definitions 4591 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 4592 Definitions.....................................................................................4613 Designated overhead line..................... ....................... ................... 464


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xxiv Telecommunications Act 1997

4 Extension to a tower to be treated as the installation of afacility ........................ ....................... ....................... ..................... 464

Division 2Inspection of land 4655 Inspection of land ..................... ....................... ....................... ....... 465

Division 3Installation of facilities 4666 Installation of facilities.................... ....................... ....................... 466

Division 4Maintenance of facilities 4687 Maintenance of facilities ..................... ........................ .................. 468

Division 5Conditions relating to the carrying out of authorised

activities 4718 Carrier to do as little damage as practicable ...................... ............ 4719 Carrier to restore land....................... ....................... ...................... 47110 Management of activities............................ ....................... ............ 471

11 Agreements with public utilities.. ....................... ........................ ...47212 Compliance with industry standards............... ........................ ....... 47213 Compliance with international agreements............................. ....... 47214 Conditions specified in the regulations.................. ........................ 47215 Conditions specified in a Ministerial Code of Practice.................. 47216 Conditions to which a facility installation permit is subject .......... 47317 Notice to owner of landgeneral............................... ................... 47418 Notice to owner of landlopping of trees etc....... ........................ 47519 Notice to roads authorities, utilities etc............................... ........... 47720 Roads etc. to remain open for passage.................... ....................... 478

Division 6Facility installation permits 47921 Application for facility installation permit ..................... ............... 479

22 Form of application ....................... ...................... ....................... ...47923 Application to be accompanied by charge..................... ................ 47924 Withdrawal of application ....................... ....................... ............... 47925 Issue of facility installation permit ....................... ......................... 47926 Deemed refusal of facility installation permit............................ ....48027 Criteria for issue of facility installation permit.... .......................... 48128 Special provisions relating to environmental matters .................... 48729 Consultation with the ACCC... ........................ ....................... ....... 48830 Facility installation permit has effect subject to this Act ............... 48831 Duration of facility installation permit ....................... ................... 48832 Conditions of facility installation permit ....................... ................ 48833 Surrender of facility installation permit.......... ........................ ....... 489

34 Cancellation of facility installation permit ..................... ............... 48935 Review of decisions by Administrative Appeals Tribunal............. 489


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Division 7Exemptions from State and Territory laws 49136 Activities not generally exempt from State and Territory

laws ..................... ...................... ....................... ...................... ....... 49137 Exemption from State and Territory laws................... ................... 491

38 Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws.................. ........ 49239 Liability to taxation not affected................................. ................... 492

Division 8Miscellaneous 49341 Guidelines......................................................................................49342 Compensation................................................................................49343 Power extends to carriers employees etc... ....................... ............ 49444 State and Territory laws that discriminate against carriers

and users of carriage services ...................... ........................ .......... 49445 State and Territory laws may confer powers and immunities

on carriers......................................................................................49646 ACMA may limit tort liability in relation to the supply of

certain carriage services.................................................................49647 Ownership of facilities .................... ........................ ...................... 49748 ACMA may inform the public about designated overhead

lines, telecommunications transmission towers andunderground facilities....................................................................497

49 Review of options for placing facilities underground... ................. 49850 Monitoring of progress in relation to placing facilities

underground...................................................................................499 51 Removal of certain overhead lines........................... ...................... 49952 Commonwealth laws not displaced ....................... ........................ 50153 Subdivider to pay for necessary alterations ....................... ............ 50154 Service of notices ..................... ....................... ....................... ....... 502

55 Facilities installed before 1 January 2001 otherwise than inreliance on Commonwealth lawsenvironmental impact ............ 503

Part 2Transitional provisions 50660 Existing buildings, structures and facilitiesapplication of

State and Territory laws.................................................................50661 Existing buildings, structures and facilitiesapplication of

the common law .................... ...................... ....................... ........... 506

Part 3Compensation for acquisition of property 50762 Compensation for acquisition of property ......................... ............ 50763 Application of this Part............. ....................... ....................... ....... 508

Schedule 3AProtection of submarine cables 509

Part 1Preliminary 5091 Simplified outline ...................... ...................... ....................... ....... 5092 Definitions.....................................................................................509


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Part 2Protection zones 513


Division 2Declaration of protection zones 514

Subdivision ADeclarations 5144 ACMA may declare a protection zone............................ ............... 5145 Declaration on ACMAs initiative or in response to request .........5146 Response to a request to declare a protection zone........... ............. 5147 Decision not to declare a requested protection zone or to

declare a different protection zone.................................................5158 Location of submarine cable to be specified in declaration........... 5159 Area of a protection zone........................ ........................ ............... 51610 Prohibited activities.. ....................... ....................... ....................... 51711 Restricted activities ..................... ........................ ....................... ...518

12 Conditions ..................... ....................... ....................... .................. 51913 When a declaration takes effect........ ....................... ...................... 51914 Duration of declaration............ ........................ ........................ ...... 519

Subdivision BPrerequisites to declaration of a protection zone 52015 ACMA to develop a proposal for a protection zone ...................... 52016 ACMA to refer proposal to advisory committee ....................... ....52017 ACMA to publish proposal....................... ....................... .............. 52018 Cable must be a submarine cable of national significance.............52119 Consultation with Environment Secretary...... ........................ ....... 52120 Matters the ACMA must have regard to...... ......................... ......... 52121 Environment and heritage considerations.......... ......................... ...522

22 Deadline for final decision about protection zone ......................... 523Division 3Varying or revoking a declaration of a protection

zone 524

Subdivision AVariation or revocation 52423 ACMA may vary or revoke a declaration of a protection

zone .................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ...... 52424 Variation or revocation on ACMAs initiative or in response

to request .................... ....................... ...................... ...................... 52425 ACMA to notify affected carrier of request to vary or revoke

a declaration ...................... ....................... ....................... .............. 52426 Response to a request to vary or revoke a declaration................... 52427 Decision not to vary or revoke a declaration after a request to

do so ....................... ....................... ....................... ....................... ..52528 When a variation or revocation takes effect................................... 52529 Protection zone as varied must not exceed permitted area.............526

Subdivision BPrerequisites to variation or revocation of

declaration 526


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Telecommunications Act 1997 xxvii

30 ACMA to develop a variation or revocation proposal ................... 52631 ACMA to refer proposal to advisory committee ....................... ....52632 ACMA to publish proposal....................... ....................... .............. 526

33 Consultation with Environment Secretary...... ........................ ....... 52734 Matters the ACMA must have regard to...... ......................... ......... 52735 Deadline for final decision about varying or revoking a

protection zone ..................... ....................... ....................... ........... 527

Division 4Offences in relation to a protection zone 528

Subdivision ADamaging a submarine cable 52836 Damaging a submarine cable................ ....................... .................. 52837 Negligently damaging a submarine cable....................... ............... 52838 Defence to offences of damaging a submarine cable............ ......... 52839 Master or owner of ship used in offence of damaging a

submarine cable.............................................................................529

Subdivision BEngaging in prohibited or restricted activities 52940 Engaging in prohibited or restricted activities ....................... ........ 52941 Aggravated offence of engaging in prohibited or restricted

activities .................... ....................... ....................... ...................... 53042 Defences to offences of engaging in prohibited or restricted

activities .................... ....................... ....................... ...................... 53043 Alternative verdict if aggravated offence not proven .................... 53144 Master or owner of ship used in offence of engaging in

prohibited or restricted activities ..................... ....................... ....... 531

Division 5Miscellaneous 53245 Person may claim damages.............................. ....................... ....... 53246 Indemnity for loss of anchor etc. ..................... ....................... ....... 532

47 ACMA to notify relevant authorities of declaration, variationetc. of protection zone ..................... ...................... ....................... .533

48 Notice if carrier decommissions a submarine cable....................... 53349 Composition of advisory committee....................... ....................... 534

Part 3Permits to install submarine cables 535


Division 2Protection zone installation permits 53651 Application for a permit to install a submarine cable in a

protection zone ..................... ....................... ....................... ........... 53652 Form of application etc................ ........................ ....................... ...536

53 Application to be accompanied by charge..................... ................ 53654 Withdrawal of application ....................... ....................... ............... 53655 Further information ....................... ...................... ....................... ...53656 Grant or refusal of permit ..................... ........................ ................. 53657 Automatic refusal ..................... ....................... ....................... ....... 537


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58 Refund of application charge if automatic refusal ...................... ...53859 Duration of permit .................... ....................... ....................... ....... 53860 Surrender of permit........................... ....................... ...................... 538

61 Extension of permit ....................... ....................... ....................... ..53862 Suspension or cancellation of permit.......... ........................ ........... 53963 Exemption from State and Territory laws................... ................... 539

Division 3Non-protection zone installation permits 54164 Application for a permit to install a submarine cable in

Australian waters (otherwise than in a protection zone orcoastal waters) ....................... ....................... ....................... .......... 541

65 Form of application etc................ ........................ ....................... ...54166 Application to be accompanied by charge..................... ................ 54167 Withdrawal of application ....................... ....................... ............... 54168 Further information ....................... ...................... ....................... ...54169 Grant or refusal of permit ..................... ........................ ................. 54270 Consultation before the ACMA makes a decision about a

permit .................... ....................... ........................ ....................... ..54271 Matters the ACMA must have regard to before it makes a

decision about a permit..................................................................54272 Environment and heritage considerations.......... ......................... ...54373 Time limit on decision about a permit ........................ ................... 54474 Duration of permit .................... ....................... ....................... ....... 54475 Surrender of permit........................... ....................... ...................... 54576 Extension of permit ....................... ....................... ....................... ..54577 Suspension or cancellation of permit.......... ........................ ........... 545

Division 4Conditions applicable to the installation of

submarine cables 54678 Application of this Division ....................... ........................ ........... 54679 Installation to do as little damage as practicable............................ 54680 Management of installation activities........................ .................... 54681 Compliance with industry standards............... ........................ ....... 54682 Compliance with international agreements............................. ....... 54783 Conditions specified in the regulations.................. ........................ 547

Division 5Offences in relation to installation of submarine

cables 54884 Installing a submarine cable without a permit ....................... ........ 54885 Breaching conditions of a permit................. ....................... ........... 54886 Failing to comply with ACMA direction to remove an

unlawfully installed cable..............................................................549Part 4Compensation 550

87 Compensation................................................................................55088 Compensation for acquisition of property ......................... ............ 550


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Part 5Miscellaneous 55289 Review of operation of this Schedule...................... ...................... 552

Schedule 4Reviewable decisions of the ACMA 553

Part 1Decisions that may be subject to reconsideration by the

ACMA 5531 Reviewable decisions of the ACMA ....................... ...................... 553

Part 2Decisions to which section 556 does not apply 5562 Decisions to which section 556 does not apply ..................... ........ 556

Notes 557


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31/637

Telecommunications Act 1997 1

An Act about telecommunications, and for related

purposes

Part 1Introduction

1 Short title [see Note 1]

This Act may be cited as the Telecommunications Act 1997.

2 Commencement [see Note 1]

(1) The following provisions of this Act commence on the day on

which this Act receives the Royal Assent:(a) this Part;

(b) Part 2;

(c) Divisions 2, 3 and 4 of Part 4;

(d) Division 3 of Part 25;

(f) section 589;

(g) section 594.

(2) Sections 52 to 55 (inclusive) commence on 5 June 1997.

(3) The remaining provisions of this Act commence on 1 July 1997.

3 Objects

(1) The main object of this Act, when read together with Parts XIBand XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974, is to provide a regulatoryframework that promotes:

(a) the long-term interests of end-users of carriage services or ofservices provided by means of carriage services; and

(b) the efficiency and international competitiveness of theAustralian telecommunications industry.

(2) The other objects of this Act, when read together with Parts XIB

and XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974, are as follows:(a) to ensure that standard telephone services, payphones and

other carriage services of social importance are:


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Part 1 Introduction

Section 3

2 Telecommunications Act 1997

(i) reasonably accessible to all people in Australia on anequitable basis, wherever they reside or carry on

business; and(ii) are supplied as efficiently and economically as

practicable; and

(iii) are supplied at performance standards that reasonablymeet the social, industrial and commercial needs of theAustralian community;

(b) to provide a framework under which a carriage service thatprovides digital data capability comparable to an ISDNchannel is to become available to all people in Australia:

(i) by 1 January 2000; or

(ii) by another date having regard to the findings of the

review into the timing of the availability of that service;(c) to promote the supply of diverse and innovative carriage

services and content services;

(d) to promote the development of an Australiantelecommunications industry that is efficient, competitiveand responsive to the needs of the Australian community;

(e) to promote the effective participation by all sectors of theAustralian telecommunications industry in markets (whetherin Australia or elsewhere);

(f) to promote:

(i) the development of the technical capabilities and skills

of the Australian telecommunications industry; and(ii) the development of the value-adding and

export-oriented activities of the Australiantelecommunications industry; and

(iii) research and development that contributes to the growthof the Australian telecommunications industry;

(

Telecommunications Standard 1997

Documents

Transcript of Telecommunications Standard 1997