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BROADCASTING SERVICES AMENDMENT ACT 2000 NO. 172, 2000 - SCHEDULE 1
- International broadcasting services
Part 1Amendments
Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977
1
At the end of Schedule 2
Add:
; (zc) decisions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs under Part 8B of the
Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (for this purpose, Minister for Foreign Affairs
has the same meaning as in that Act).
Broadcasting Services Act 1992
2 After paragraph 3(1)(j)
Insert:
- (ja)
- to
ensure that international broadcasting services are not provided contrary to
Australia's national interest; and
3 After subsection 4(3)
Insert:
- (3A)
- This section does not apply to Part 8B
(which deals with international broadcasting services).
4 Subsection 6(1)
Insert: international broadcasting guidelines means
guidelines in force under section 121FP.
5 Subsection 6(1)
Insert: international broadcasting licence means a
licence to provide an international broadcasting service.
6 Subsection 6(1)
Insert: international broadcasting service has the
meaning given by section 18A.
7 Subsection 6(1)
Insert: Minister for Foreign Affairs means the Minister
administering the Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Act 1967 .
8 After paragraph 11(f)
Insert:
- (fa)
- international broadcasting services;
9 After section 11
Insert:
11A Dual categorisation of international
broadcasting services
An international broadcasting service may also fall into another category of
broadcasting services.
10 Subsection 12(1)
Omit "and subscription television broadcasting services",
substitute ", subscription television broadcasting services and international
broadcasting services".
11 At the end of section 12
Add:
Dual
categorisation of international broadcasting services
- (3)
- An international
broadcasting service that also falls into the category of commercial
broadcasting services requires both:
- (a)
- an international broadcasting licence; and
- (b)
- either:
- (i)
- a commercial radio broadcasting licence; or
- (ii)
- a commercial television broadcasting licence.
- (4)
- An international broadcasting service that also falls into the category of
community broadcasting services requires both:
- (a)
- an international broadcasting licence; and
- (b)
- a community broadcasting licence.
- (5)
- An international broadcasting service that also falls into the category of
subscription television broadcasting services requires both:
- (a)
- an international broadcasting licence; and
- (b)
- a subscription television broadcasting licence.
- (6)
- Both of the following rules apply to an international broadcasting service
that also falls into a category of broadcasting services covered by subsection
(2):
- (a)
- the service requires an international broadcasting licence;
- (b)
- the service is to be provided under the relevant class licence.
12 After section 18
Insert:
18A International broadcasting services
- (1)
- International broadcasting services are broadcasting services that are
targeted, to a significant extent, to audiences outside Australia, where:
- (a)
- the means of delivering the services involves the use of a
radiocommunications transmitter in Australia (whether alone or in combination
with any other means); and
- (b)
- the services comply with any determinations or clarifications under
section 19 in relation to international broadcasting services.
- (2)
- A broadcasting service is not an international broadcasting service if the
broadcasting service is:
- (a)
- provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in accordance with
section 6 of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 ; or
- (b)
- provided by the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation in accordance
with section 6 of the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 ; or
- (c)
- an exempt broadcasting service (as defined by subsection (3)).
- (3)
- For the purposes of this section, a broadcasting service is an exempt
broadcasting service if:
- (a)
- the service delivers only programs packaged outside Australia (which may
include programs produced in Australia); and
- (b)
- all relevant programming decisions are made outside Australia; and
- (c)
- the service is transmitted from a place outside Australia to an earth
station in Australia for the sole purpose of being immediately re-transmitted
to a satellite; and
- (d)
- the satellite is a means of delivering the service (whether alone or in
combination with any other means).
- (4)
- The references in this section to localities do not, by implication,
affect the application of paragraph 21(b) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901
and section 10 of this Act to a provision of this Act that deals with a
category of broadcasting services other than international broadcasting
services.
- (5)
- In this section:
Australia includes the external Territories.
radiocommunications transmitter has the same meaning as in the
Radiocommunications Act 1992 .
13 Paragraphs 19(1)(a) and (b)
Omit "18", substitute "18A".
14 Subsection
21(1)
After "which category", insert ", or categories,".
15 Subsection 21(2)
After "which category", insert ", or categories,".
16 Subsection 21(4)
After
"which category", insert ", or categories,".
17 Paragraph 21(5)(a)
After
"different category", insert ", or different categories,".
18 Paragraph
21(5)(b)
After "different category" (first occurring), insert "or different
categories".
19 Paragraph 21(5)(b)
After "different category" (second
occurring), insert ", or different categories,".
20 Subsection 21(6)
After
"which category", insert ", or categories,".
21 At the end of section 21
Add:
- (8)
- The ABA must not give an opinion under this section that a
particular broadcasting service falls into more than one category of
broadcasting services unless one of the categories is international
broadcasting services.
- (9)
- A person must not, in an application under this section, state an opinion
that a particular broadcasting service falls into more than one category of
broadcasting services unless one of the categories is international
broadcasting services.
22 Before Part 9
Insert: 121F Simplified outline
The following is a simplified outline of this Part:
* Applications may be made to the ABA for the allocation of international
broadcasting licences.
* The ABA may only reject an application for the
allocation of an international broadcasting licence to a person if:
(a) the
ABA is not satisfied that the person is an Australian company; or
(b) the ABA is not satisfied that the person is a suitable applicant; or
(c) the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the
international broadcasting service is likely to be contrary to
Australia's national interest.
* A licensee must keep records of
broadcasts for 90 days.
* An international broadcasting licence may
only be cancelled if:
(a) the licensee does not commence to provide
an international broadcasting service within 2 years; or
(b) the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the
international broadcasting service is likely to be contrary to
Australia's national interest.
* The ABA may make declarations (
nominated broadcaster declarations ) that allow international
broadcasting licences and related transmitter licences to be held by
different persons, so long as the transmitter licence is held by an
Australian company.
* If a nominated broadcaster declaration is in
force:
(a) the international broadcasting licence may be issued to a
company that is not an Australian company; and
(b) the holder of the transmitter licence must keep records of broadcasts
for 90 days; and
(c) the holder of the transmitter licence may receive notices on behalf of
the holder of the international broadcasting licence.
121FAA
Definitions
In this Part:
company means a body corporate.
holder , in relation to a nominated broadcaster declaration, means the person
who applied for the declaration.
nominated broadcaster declaration means a declaration under
section 121FLC.
transmitter licence has the same meaning as in the
Radiocommunications Act 1992 .
121FA Application for international broadcasting licence
- (1)
- A person may
apply to the ABA for a licence to provide an international broadcasting
service if no nominated broadcaster declaration is in force in relation to
that service.
- (1A)
- If a person is the holder of a nominated broadcaster declaration in
relation to an international broadcasting service proposed to be provided by
another person (the content provider ):
- (a)
- the holder of the declaration may, on behalf of the content provider,
apply to the ABA for a licence authorising the content provider to provide the
international broadcasting service; and
- (b)
- if an application is made under paragraph (a)the content
provider is taken to be the applicant for the licence.
- (1B)
- An application under this section may only be made on the basis of one
licence per service.
- (2)
- An application under this section must:
- (a)
- be in accordance with a form approved in writing by the ABA; and
- (b)
- be accompanied by the application fee determined in writing by the ABA.
121FB Corporate status and suitability
- (1)
- If the ABA:
- (a)
- is satisfied that an applicant under subsection 121FA(1) for an
international broadcasting licence is a company that is formed in Australia or
in an external Territory; and
- (b)
- does not decide that subsection 121FC(1) applies to the applicant;
the ABA must:
- (c)
- refer the application to the Minister for Foreign Affairs; and
- (d)
- give the Minister for Foreign Affairs a report about whether the proposed
international broadcasting service concerned complies with the international
broadcasting guidelines.
- (2)
- If the ABA:
- (a)
- is not satisfied that an applicant under subsection 121FA(1) for an
international broadcasting licence is a company that is formed in Australia or
in an external Territory; or
- (b)
- decides that subsection 121FC(1) applies to an applicant under subsection
121FA(1) for an international broadcasting licence;
the ABA must refuse to allocate an international broadcasting licence to the
applicant.
- (3)
- If, under subsection (2), the ABA refuses to allocate an international
broadcasting licence to an applicant, the ABA must give written notice of the
refusal to the applicant.
- (4)
- If an application for an international broadcasting licence is made under
subsection 121FA(1), the ABA must make reasonable efforts to either:
- (a)
- take action under subsection (1) of this section; or
- (b)
- refuse to allocate the licence;
within 30 days after the application was made.
- (5)
- If the ABA:
- (a)
- is satisfied that an applicant under subsection 121FA(1A) for an
international broadcasting licence is a company; and
- (b)
- does not decide that subsection 121FC(1) applies to the applicant;
the ABA must:
- (c)
- refer the application to the Minister for Foreign Affairs; and
- (d)
- give the Minister for Foreign Affairs a report about whether the proposed
international broadcasting service concerned complies with the international
broadcasting guidelines.
- (6)
- If the ABA:
- (a)
- is not satisfied that an applicant under subsection 121FA(1A) for an
international broadcasting licence is a company; or
- (b)
- decides that subsection 121FC(1) applies to an applicant under subsection
121FA(1A) for an international broadcasting licence;
the ABA must refuse to allocate an international broadcasting licence to the
applicant.
- (7)
- If, under subsection (6), the ABA refuses to allocate an
international broadcasting licence to an applicant, the ABA must give written
notice of the refusal to:
- (a)
- the applicant; and
- (b)
- the holder of the nominated broadcaster declaration concerned.
- (8)
- If an application for an international broadcasting licence is made under
subsection 121FA(1A), the ABA must make reasonable efforts to either:
- (a)
- take action under subsection (5) of this section; or
- (b)
- refuse to allocate the licence;
within 30 days after the application was made.
121FC Unsuitable applicant
- (1)
- The ABA may, if it is satisfied that allowing
a particular company to provide an international broadcasting service under an
international broadcasting licence would lead to a significant risk of:
- (a)
- an offence against this Act or the regulations being committed; or
- (b)
- a breach of the conditions of the licence occurring;
decide that this subsection applies to the company.
- (2)
- In deciding whether such a risk exists, the ABA is to take into account:
- (a)
- the business record of the company; and
- (b)
- the company's record in situations requiring trust and candour; and
- (c)
- the business record of each person who is, or would be, if an
international broadcasting licence were allocated to the company, in a
position to control the licence; and
- (d)
- the record in situations requiring trust and candour of each such person;
and
- (e)
- whether the company, or a person referred to in paragraph (c) or (d), has
been convicted of an offence against this Act or the regulations.
121FD Australia's national interest
Direction not to allocate licence
- (1)
- If:
- (a)
- an application for an international broadcasting licence is referred to
the Minister for Foreign Affairs under subsection 121FB(1) or (5); and
- (b)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the proposed
international broadcasting service concerned is likely to be contrary to
Australia's national interest;
the Minister for Foreign Affairs may, by written notice given to the ABA,
direct the ABA not to allocate an international broadcasting licence to the
applicant.
No objection to allocation of licence
- (2)
- If:
- (a)
- an application for an international broadcasting licence is referred to
the Minister for Foreign Affairs under subsection 121FB(1) or (5); and
- (b)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs is not of the opinion that the proposed
international broadcasting service concerned is likely to be contrary to
Australia's national interest;
the Minister for Foreign Affairs must, by written notice given to the ABA,
inform the ABA that he or she has no objection to the allocation of an
international broadcasting licence to the applicant.
Australia's national interest
- (3)
- For the purposes of this section, in
determining whether a proposed international broadcasting service is likely to
be contrary to Australia's national interest, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
must have regard to the likely effect of the proposed service on Australia's
international relations.
- (4)
- For the purposes of this section, in determining whether a proposed
international broadcasting service is likely to be contrary to Australia's
national interest, the Minister for Foreign Affairs may have regard to a
report given by the ABA under subsection 121FB(1) or (5). This subsection does
not limit the material to which the Minister for Foreign Affairs may have
regard.
Decision to be made within 60 days
- (5)
- If an application for an
international broadcasting licence is referred to the Minister for Foreign
Affairs under subsection 121FB(1) or (5), the Minister for Foreign Affairs
must make reasonable efforts to either:
- (a)
- direct the ABA under subsection (1) of this section; or
- (b)
- inform the ABA under subsection (2) of this section;
within 60 days after the referral.
Notification
- (6)
- If the Minister for Foreign Affairs directs the ABA not to
allocate an international broadcasting licence to an applicant, the ABA must
give written notice of the direction to:
- (a)
- in all casesthe applicant; and
- (b)
- in the case of an application under subsection 121FA(1A)the holder
of the nominated broadcaster declaration concerned.
121FE Allocation of licence
If the Minister for Foreign Affairs informs the ABA under subsection 121FD(2)
that he or she has no objection to the allocation of an international
broadcasting licence to an applicant, the ABA must allocate the licence to the
applicant.
121FF Conditions of international broadcasting licences
- (1)
- Each
international broadcasting licence is subject to the following conditions:
- (a)
- the licensee must cause a record of programs broadcast on the
international broadcasting service concerned to be made in a form approved in
writing by the ABA;
- (b)
- the licensee must retain in its custody a record so made for a period of
90 days after the broadcast;
- (c)
- the licensee must, without charge, make available to the ABA, on request,
any specified record made by the licensee under paragraph (a) that has been
retained by the licensee (whether or not the licensee is, at the time of the
request, under an obligation to retain the record).
- (2)
- This section does not apply to an international broadcasting licence if a
nominated broadcaster declaration is in force in relation to the international
broadcasting service concerned.
- Note: Corresponding conditions apply to nominated broadcaster
declarationssee section 121FLE.
121FG Prohibition on providing an international broadcasting service without a
licence
- (1)
- A person is guilty of an offence if the person:
- (a)
- intentionally provides an international broadcasting service; and
- (b)
- does not have an international broadcasting licence to provide the
service, and is reckless as to that fact.
Penalty: 20,000 penalty units.
- (2)
- A person who contravenes subsection (1)
is guilty of a separate offence in respect of each day (including a day of a
conviction for the offence or any later day) during which the contravention
continues.
121FH Notice for providing an international broadcasting service without a
licence
- (1)
- If the ABA is satisfied that a person is providing an
international broadcasting service without an international broadcasting
licence that authorises the provision of that service, the ABA may, by notice
in writing given to the person, direct the person to cease providing the
service.
- (2)
- A person is guilty of an offence if:
- (a)
- a person is subject to a notice under subsection (1); and
- (b)
- the person intentionally fails to comply with the notice.
Penalty: 20,000 penalty units.
- (3)
- A person who contravenes subsection (2)
is guilty of a separate offence in respect of each day (including a day of a
conviction for the offence or any later day) during which the contravention
continues.
121FJ Offence for breach of conditions of international broadcasting licence
A person is guilty of an offence if:
- (a)
- the person is an international broadcasting licensee; and
- (b)
- the person intentionally breaches a condition of the licence.
Penalty: 2,000 penalty units.
121FK Cancellation of licence if service does
not commence within 2 years
- (1)
- If:
- (a)
- a person has been allocated an international broadcasting licence; and
- (b)
- the person has not commenced to provide the international broadcasting
service concerned within 2 years after the allocation of the licence;
the ABA may cancel the licence.
Notice of intention to cancel
- (2)
- If the ABA proposes to cancel a licence
under subsection (1), the ABA must give to the licensee:
- (a)
- written notice of its intention; and
- (b)
- a reasonable opportunity to make representations to the ABA in relation to
the proposed cancellation.
Cancellation to be notified to the Australian Communications Authority
- (3)
- If the ABA cancels a licence under subsection (1), the ABA must notify the
cancellation to the Australian Communications Authority.
121FL Formal warning, or cancellation or suspension of licence, where service
is contrary to Australia's national interest
Formal warning
- (1)
- If:
- (a)
- an international broadcasting service is provided under an international
broadcasting licence; and
- (b)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the service is
contrary to Australia's national interest; and
- (c)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by written notice given to the ABA,
directs the ABA to issue a formal warning to the licensee;
the ABA must issue a formal warning to the licensee.
- (2)
- If the ABA issues a formal warning under subsection (1), the ABA must
notify the warning to the Australian Communications Authority.
Suspension of licence
- (3)
- If:
- (a)
- an international broadcasting service is provided under an international
broadcasting licence; and
- (b)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the service is
contrary to Australia's national interest; and
- (c)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by written notice given to the ABA,
directs the ABA to suspend the licence for the period specified in the
direction;
the ABA must suspend the licence for the period specified in the direction.
- (4)
- If the ABA suspends a licence under subsection (3), the ABA must notify
the suspension to the Australian Communications Authority.
Cancellation of licence
- (5)
- If:
- (a)
- an international broadcasting service is provided under an international
broadcasting licence; and
- (b)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the service is
contrary to Australia's national interest; and
- (c)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by written notice given to the ABA,
directs the ABA to cancel the licence;
the ABA must cancel the licence.
- (6)
- If the Minister for Foreign Affairs proposes to direct the ABA to cancel
an international broadcasting licence, he or she must direct the ABA to:
- (a)
- give the licensee written notice of his or her intention; and
- (b)
- give the licensee a reasonable opportunity to send a submission to the ABA
in relation to the proposed direction; and
- (c)
- forward any such submission to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
- (7)
- If the ABA cancels a licence under subsection (5), the ABA must notify the
cancellation to the Australian Communications Authority.
Australia's national interest
- (8)
- For the purposes of this section, in
determining whether an international broadcasting service is contrary to
Australia's national interest, the Minister for Foreign Affairs must have
regard to the effect of the service on Australia's international relations.
- (9)
- For the purposes of this section, in determining whether an international
broadcasting service is contrary to Australia's national interest, the
Minister for Foreign Affairs may have regard to a report given by the ABA
under section 121FM. This subsection does not limit the material to which the
Minister for Foreign Affairs may have regard.
121FLA Object of this Division
The main object of this Division is to provide for the making of declarations
( nominated broadcaster declarations ) that allow the following licences to be
held by different persons:
- (a)
- an international broadcasting licence that authorises the provision of an
international broadcasting service;
- (b)
- a transmitter licence for a radiocommunications transmitter that is for
use for transmitting the international broadcasting service.
121FLB Applications for nominated broadcaster declarations
If a person (the transmission provider ):
- (a)
- is the licensee of a transmitter licence for a transmitter that is used,
or intended for use, for transmitting an international broadcasting service;
or
- (b)
- proposes to apply for a transmitter licence for a transmitter that is
intended for use for transmitting an international broadcasting service;
the transmission provider may apply to the ABA for a nominated broadcaster
declaration in relation to the provision of the international broadcasting
service by a particular person (the content provider ).
121FLC Making a nominated broadcaster declaration
- (1)
- After considering the
application, the ABA must declare in writing that the provision of the
international broadcasting service by the content provider is nominated in
relation to the transmitter licence or proposed transmitter licence, if the
ABA is satisfied that:
- (a)
- either:
- (i)
- the content provider holds an international broadcasting licence that
authorises the provision of the international broadcasting service; or
- (ii)
- the content provider does not hold such a licence but, if the declaration
were made, the transmission provider or another person will, within 60 days
after the making of the declaration, apply under subsection 121FA(1A), on
behalf of the content provider, for an international broadcasting licence that
authorises the provision of the international broadcasting service by the
content provider; and
- (b)
- the transmission provider intends to transmit the international
broadcasting service on behalf of the content provider; and
- (c)
- the transmission provider is a company that is formed in Australia or in
an external Territory; and
- (d)
- if the declaration were made, the transmission provider would be in a
position to comply with all of the obligations imposed on the transmission
provider under section 121FLE.
- (2)
- The ABA must give a copy of the declaration to:
- (a)
- the transmission provider; and
- (b)
- the content provider.
- (3)
- If the ABA refuses to make a nominated broadcaster declaration, the ABA
must give written notice of the refusal to:
- (a)
- the transmission provider; and
- (b)
- the content provider.
- (4)
- If an application is made for a nominated broadcaster declaration, the ABA
must make reasonable efforts to:
- (a)
- make the declaration under subsection (1); or
- (b)
- refuse to make the declaration;
within 30 days after the application is made.
- (5)
- This Part does not prevent the ABA from making more than one nominated
broadcaster declaration in relation to a particular international broadcasting
service, so long as each declaration relates to a different transmitter
licence or proposed transmitter licence.
121FLD Effect of nominated broadcaster declaration
If:
- (a)
- a nominated broadcaster declaration is in force in relation to an
international broadcasting service; and
- (b)
- the provision of the international broadcasting service is authorised by
an international broadcasting licence; and
- (c)
- the holder of the declaration is the licensee of a transmitter licence
that authorises the operation of a transmitter for transmitting the
international broadcasting service; and
- (d)
- the licensee of the transmitter licence transmits the international
broadcasting service on behalf of the licensee of the international
broadcasting licence;
then:
- (e)
- for the purposes of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 , the licensee of the
international broadcasting licence is taken not to operate the
radiocommunications transmitter for any purpose in connection with that
transmission; and
- (f)
- for the purposes of this Act:
- (i)
- the licensee of the international broadcasting licence is taken to provide
the international broadcasting service; and
- (ii)
- the licensee of the transmitter licence is taken not to provide the
international broadcasting service; and
- (g)
- for the purposes of this Act, any programs that are transmitted by the
licensee of the transmitter licence on behalf of the licensee of the
international broadcasting licence:
- (i)
- are taken to be programs transmitted by the licensee of the international
broadcasting licence; and
- (ii)
- are not taken to be programs transmitted by the licensee of the
transmitter licence; and
- (h)
- for the purposes of this Part (other than section 121FLG), the ABA is
taken to have given a written notice to the licensee of the international
broadcasting licence if the ABA gives the notice to the licensee of the
transmitter licence.
121FLE Conditions of nominated broadcaster declarations
- (1)
- Each nominated
broadcaster declaration is subject to the following conditions:
- (a)
- the holder of the declaration must cause a record of programs broadcast on
the international broadcasting service concerned to be made in a form approved
in writing by the ABA;
- (b)
- the holder of the declaration must retain in the holder's custody a record
so made for a period of 90 days after the broadcast;
- (c)
- the holder of the declaration must, without charge, make available to the
ABA, on request, any specified record made by the holder under
paragraph (a) that has been retained by the holder (whether or not the
holder is, at the time of the request, under an obligation to retain the
record).
- (2)
- Subsection (1) does not apply to a nominated broadcaster declaration
unless the holder of the declaration is the licensee of a transmitter licence
that authorises the operation of a transmitter for transmitting the
international broadcasting service concerned.
121FLF Offence for breach of conditions of nominated broadcaster declaration
A person is guilty of an offence if:
- (a)
- the person is the holder of a nominated broadcaster declaration; and
- (b)
- the person intentionally breaches a condition of the declaration.
Penalty: 2,0 00 penalty units.
121FLG Revocation of nominated broadcaster
declaration
- (1)
- The ABA must, by writing, revoke a nominated broadcaster
declaration relating to the provision of an international broadcasting service
by a person (the content provider ) if the ABA is satisfied that:
- (a)
- the holder of the declaration is neither transmitting, nor proposing to
transmit, the international broadcasting service on behalf of the content
provider; or
- (b)
- the holder of the declaration is involved, or proposes to become involved,
in the selection or provision of programs to be transmitted on the
international broadcasting service; or
- (c)
- the holder of the declaration is not a company that is formed in Australia
or in an external Territory.
- (2)
- The ABA must, by writing, revoke a nominated broadcaster declaration
relating to the provision of an international broadcasting service by a person
(the content provider ) if the ABA is satisfied that:
- (a)
- at the time the declaration was made, there was no international
broadcasting licence that authorised the provision of the international
broadcasting service by the content provider; and
- (b)
- either:
- (i)
- no application was made under subsection 121FA(1A) for such a licence
within 60 days after the making of the declaration; or
- (ii)
- an application for such a licence was made under subsection 121FA(1A)
within 60 days after the making of the declaration, but the application was
refused.
- (3)
- The ABA must, by writing, revoke a nominated broadcaster declaration
relating to the provision of an international broadcasting service by a person
(the content provider ) if:
- (a)
- the holder of the declaration; or
- (b)
- the content provider;
gives the ABA a written notice stating that the holder of the declaration, or
the content provider, does not consent to the continued operation of the
declaration.
- (4)
- The ABA must give a copy of the revocation to:
- (a)
- the person who held the declaration; and
- (b)
- the content provider.
- (5)
- A revocation under subsection (1), (2) or (3) takes effect on the
date specified in the revocation.
- (6)
- The ABA must not revoke a nominated broadcaster declaration under
subsection (1) or (2) unless the ABA has first:
- (a)
- given the holder of the declaration a written notice:
- (i)
- setting out a proposal to revoke the declaration; and
- (ii)
- inviting the holder of the declaration to make a submission to the ABA on
the proposal; and
- (b)
- given the content provider a written notice:
- (i)
- setting out a proposal to revoke the declaration; and
- (ii)
- inviting the content provider to make a submission to the ABA on the
proposal; and
- (c)
- considered any submission that was received under paragraph (a) or
- (b)
- within the time limit specified in the notice concerned.
- (7)
- A time limit specified in a notice under subsection (6) must run for
at least 7 days.
- (8)
- A person must not enter into a contract or arrangement under which the
person or another person is:
- (a)
- prevented from giving a notice under subsection (3); or
- (b)
- subject to any restriction in relation to the giving of a notice under
subsection (3).
- (9)
- A contract or arrangement entered into in contravention of
subsection (8) is void.
121FLH Cancellation of licence if declaration ceases to be in force and
licensee is not an Australian company
- (1)
- If:
- (a)
- a nominated broadcaster declaration ceases to be in force; and
- (b)
- the provision of the international broadcasting service concerned is
authorised by an international broadcasting licence; and
- (c)
- 30 days pass, and the ABA is satisfied that:
- (i)
- the international broadcasting licensee is not a company that is formed in
Australia or in an external Territory; and
- (ii)
- the international broadcasting licensee has not taken reasonable steps to
arrange for the international broadcasting service to be provided by a company
that is formed in Australia or in an external Territory;
the ABA must cancel the licence.
- (2)
- If:
- (a)
- a nominated broadcaster declaration ceases to be in force; and
- (b)
- the provision of the international broadcasting service concerned is
authorised by an international broadcasting licence; and
- (c)
- 90 days pass, and the ABA is satisfied that the international broadcasting
licensee is not a company that is formed in Australia or in an external
Territory;
the ABA must cancel the licence.
- (3)
- The ABA may, by written notice given to the licensee, determine that
paragraph (2)(c) has effect, in relation to the licensee, as if a
reference in that paragraph to 90 days were a reference to such greater number
of days as is specified in the notice.
- (4)
- The ABA must not notify a greater number of days under subsection (3)
unless it is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances that warrant
the greater number of days.
Notice of intention to cancel
- (5)
- If the ABA proposes to cancel a licence
under subsection (1) or (2), the ABA must give to the licensee:
- (a)
- written notice of its intention; and
- (b)
- a reasonable opportunity to make representations to the ABA in relation to
the proposed cancellation.
Cancellation to be notified to the ACA
- (6)
- If the ABA cancels a licence
under subsection (1) or (2), the ABA must notify the cancellation to the
ACA.
121FLJ Register of nominated broadcaster declarations
- (1)
- The ABA is to
maintain a register in which the ABA includes particulars of all nominated
broadcaster declarations currently in force.
- (2)
- The Register may be maintained by electronic means.
- (3)
- The Register is to be made available for inspection on the Internet.
121FM Report about compliance with international broadcasting guidelines
The Minister for Foreign Affairs may, by written notice given to the ABA,
direct the ABA to:
- (a)
- prepare a report about whether a specified international broadcasting
service complies with the international broadcasting guidelines; and
- (b)
- give the report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
121FN Records of broadcasts
The Minister for Foreign Affairs may, by written notice given to the ABA,
direct the ABA to:
- (a)
- obtain specified records from an international broadcasting licensee under
section 121FF; and
- (b)
- give the records to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
121FP International broadcasting guidelines - (1)
- The ABA must formulate
written guidelines relating to international broadcasting services.
- (2)
- To avoid doubt, international broadcasting guidelines may deal with
matters other than Australia's national interest.
- (3)
- International broadcasting guidelines are disallowable instruments for the
purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .
121FQ Surrender of international broadcasting licences
- (1)
- An international
broadcasting licensee may, by notice in writing given to the ABA, surrender
the licence.
- (2)
- If a licence is surrendered under subsection (1), the ABA must notify the
surrender to the Australian Communications Authority.
121FR Complaints about international broadcasting services
- (1)
- It is not a
function of the ABA to monitor and investigate complaints concerning
international broadcasting services.
- (2)
- However, if an international broadcasting service also falls into another
category of broadcasting services, this section does not prevent the ABA from
performing its function of monitoring and investigating complaints about the
service in the service's capacity as a service that falls into that other
category.
121FS Statements about decisions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs
- (1)
- If:
- (a)
- the Minister for Foreign Affairs makes a decision under subsection
121FD(1) or 121FL(3) or (5); and
- (b)
- a person is entitled to make an application to the Federal Court or the
Federal Magistrates Court under section 5 of the Administrative
Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 in relation to the decision;
the person may, by written notice given to the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
request the Minister for Foreign Affairs to give the person a written
statement setting out the reasons for the decision.
- (2)
- If a person makes a request under subsection (1) in relation to a
decision, the Minister for Foreign Affairs must either:
- (a)
- as soon as practicable, and in any event within 28 days, after receiving
the request:
- (i)
- prepare a written statement setting out the reasons for the decision; and
- (ii)
- give the statement to the person; or
- (b)
- both:
- (i)
- as soon as practicable, and in any event within 28 days, after receiving
the request, prepare a statement about the decision; and
- (ii)
- cause a copy of the statement to be laid before each House of the
Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the completion of the
preparation of the statement.
23 Section 204 (before table item dealing with refusal to include a code of
practice in the Register)
Insert:
That subsection 121FC(1) applies to a
company
| Subsection 121FC(1)
| The company
|
Cancellation of an international
broadcasting licence
| Subsection 121FK(1)
| The licensee
|
Refusal to make a
nominated broadcaster declaration
| Section 121FLC
| The transmission
provider or the content provider
|
Revocation of a nominated broadcaster
declaration
| Section 121FLG
| The holder of the declaration, or the
content provider
|
Cancellation of an international broadcasting licence
|
Section 121FLH
| The licensee
|
24 Subsection 214(1)
After "subsection
66(2)", insert ", 121FG(2) or 121FH(3)".
25 Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1
After "subscription television broadcasting licences,", insert "international
broadcasting licences,".
26 Subclause 4(4) of Schedule 1 (after paragraph (b)
of the definition of media company)
Insert:
- (ba)
- a company that holds an
international broadcasting licence; or
Radiocommunications Act 1992
27 Section 5
Insert: international
broadcasting licence means an international broadcasting licence under the
Broadcasting Services Act 1992 .
28 Section 5
Insert: international broadcasting service has the same
meaning as in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 .
28A Section 5
Insert: provisional international broadcasting
certificate means a provisional international broadcasting certificate issued
under section 131AF.
29 After subsection 100(3A)
Insert:
- (3B)
- The ACA must not issue a
transmitter licence authorising operation of a radiocommunications transmitter
for transmitting an international broadcasting service unless there is in
force an international broadcasting licence that authorises the provision of
that service.
- (3C)
- If:
- (a)
- a provisional international broadcasting certificate is in force in
relation to an application for a transmitter licence; and
- (b)
- the application for the licence is made by the holder of the certificate;
and
- (c)
- the conditions set out in the certificate are satisfied;
the ACA must not refuse to issue the transmitter licence unless the ACA is
satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances that warrant the refusal.
30 After paragraph 108(2)(d)
Insert:
- (da)
- must not operate, or permit
operation of, the transmitter for transmitting an international broadcasting
service unless there is in force an international broadcasting licence
authorising the provision of that service; and
31 Paragraph 118(1)(d)
After "128(1)", insert "or 128B(1)".
32 Before
section 125
Insert: 33 Section 125
Omit "Division" (wherever occurring),
substitute "Subdivision".
- Note: The heading to section 125 is altered by
omitting " Division " and substituting " Subdivision ".
34 At the end of Division 6 of Part 3.3
Add: 128A Application of this
Subdivision
This Subdivision applies to a transmitter licence if:
- (a)
- the licence authorises the operation of a radiocommunications transmitter
for transmitting one or more international broadcasting services; and
- (b)
- each international broadcasting licence that authorised the provision of
those international broadcasting services has been surrendered or cancelled.
128B Cancelling transmitter licences
- (1)
- The ACA must, by written notice
given to the holder of the transmitter licence, cancel the transmitter
licence.
- (2)
- The notice must give the reasons for cancelling the licence.
34A At the end of Part 3.3
Add:
Division 10Provisional
international broadcasting certificates
131AE Applications for certificates
- (1)
- If a person proposes to make an application for a transmitter licence
authorising operation of a radiocommunications transmitter for transmitting an
international broadcasting service, the person may apply in writing to the ACA
for a provisional international broadcasting certificate in relation to the
proposed application for the transmitter licence.
- (2)
- An application under subsection (1) must be in a form approved by the
ACA.
131AF Issuing certificates
- (1)
- After considering an application under
section 131AE, the ACA may issue to the applicant a provisional
international broadcasting certificate in relation to the proposed application
for the transmitter licence.
- (2)
- The certificate must state that, if the following conditions are
satisfied:
- (a)
- the applicant applies for the transmitter licence when the certificate is
in force;
- (b)
- at the time when the application for the transmitter licence is made:
- (i)
- there is in force an international broadcasting licence that authorises
the provision of the international broadcasting service concerned; and
- (ii)
- spectrum is available for use for the provision of that service;
- (c)
- such other conditions (if any) as are specified in the certificate;
the ACA will be disposed to issue the transmitter licence.
- (3)
- In deciding whether to issue a provisional international broadcasting
certificate, the ACA:
- (a)
- must have regard to all of the matters to which it would be required to
have regard when deciding whether to issue the transmitter licence concerned
(other than the matter mentioned in subsection 100(3B)); and
- (b)
- may have regard to:
- (i)
- any other matters to which it would be permitted to have regard when
deciding whether to issue the transmitter licence concerned; and
- (ii)
- such other matters as the ACA considers relevant.
- (4)
- If the ACA refuses to issue a provisional international broadcasting
certificate to a person, the ACA must give written notice of the refusal to
the person, together with a statement of its reasons.
131AG Duration of certificates
- (1)
- A provisional international broadcasting
certificate comes into force on the day on which it was issued and remains in
force for 240 days.
- (2)
- If a provisional international broadcasting certificate expires,
subsection (1) does not prevent the making of a fresh application for a
new certificate.
35 Paragraph 148(c)
After "128", insert "or 128B".
35A After paragraph
285(ma)
Insert:
- (mb)
- refusal to issue a provisional international
broadcasting certificate under section 131AF;
36 Transitionalexisting providers of international broadcasting services
(1) If a person was providing an international broadcasting service
immediately before the commencement of this item, sections 121FG and 121FH of
the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and paragraph 108(2)(da) of the
Radiocommunications Act 1992 do not apply to the provision of the service by
the person at any time during the period:
- (a)
- beginning at the commencement
of this item; and
- (b)
- ending at whichever of the following times is applicable:
- (i)
- if the person does not apply for an international broadcasting licence for
the service within 30 days after the commencement of this itemthe end of
30 days after the commencement of this item;
- (ii)
- if the person applies for an international broadcasting licence for the
service within 30 days after the commencement of this item, but an
international broadcasting licence is not allocated to the personthe
time when the person receives the relevant notification under subsection
121FB(3) or
- (7)
- or 121FD(6) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 ;
- (iii)
- if the person applies for an international broadcasting licence for the
service within 30 days after the commencement of this item and such a licence
is allocated to the personthe time when the licence is allocated.
(1A) For the purposes of subitem (1), if an application for an
international broadcasting licence is made on behalf of a person (the content
provider ) under subsection 121FA(1A) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 ,
the content provider is taken to have made the application.
(2) If a person
was providing an international broadcasting service immediately before the
commencement of this item, sections 121FB and 121FD of the
Broadcasting Services Act 1992 have effect as if the service were a proposed
service.
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