Commonwealth Numbered Acts

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1991 No. 98 of 1991 - SECT 169

169. (1) Subsections (3) and (4) apply where AUSTEL considers that a matter
involved in an arbitration is likely to have an effect on consumers of
telecommunications services that is both significant and direct.

(2) An example of such a matter is a proposal, as part of the arrangements for
access by one carrier to another's networks and services, for a major change
in the way telephone calls are made - such as the introduction of a dialling
prefix to be used by customers of a particular carrier.

(3) AUSTEL may hold a public inquiry under Part 14 about the matter unless it
considers that such an inquiry cannot be held without substantially delaying
the conclusion of the arbitration.

(4) If AUSTEL holds such an inquiry, it must do so in a way that does not
substantially delay the conclusion of the arbitration.