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TELECOMMUNICATIONS (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) ACT 1997 No. 59 of 1997 - SCHEDULE 2
Schedule 2-Amendment of the Radiocommunications Act 1992
Radiocommunications Act 1992
Part 1-Merger of the SMA and the ACA 1 Paragraph 4(e)
Omit all the words after "enforcement of this", substitute "Act." 2 Section 5
Insert:
ACA means the Australian Communications Authority. 3 Section 5 (definition of
SMA)
Repeal the definition. 4 Subsection 231(2)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
(2) Part 5.1 provides for the ACA to delegate certain powers to authorities of
the Commonwealth. 5 Part 5.1 (heading)
Repeal the heading, substitute:
Part 5.1-Delegation 6 Division 1 of Part 5.1 (heading)
Repeal the heading. 7 Sections 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and 237
Repeal the sections. 8 Subsection 238(1)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
(1) The powers conferred on the ACA by this section are in addition to the
powers conferred by section 49 of the Australian Communications Authority Act
1997 . 9 Subsections 238(2) and (3)
Omit "Spectrum Manager may", substitute "ACA may, by writing,". 10 Division 2
of Part 5.1
Repeal the Division. 11 General amendments
The following provisions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 are amended by
omitting "SMA" (wherever occurring), and "SMA's" (wherever occurring) and
substituting "ACA" or "ACA's" respectively:
(a) Chapter 1 (other than the definition of SMA in section 5);
(b) Chapter 2;
(c) Chapter 3 (other than paragraph 101(1)(b));
(d) Chapter 4 (other than subsections 163(2) and 167(3) and sections 183
and 184);
(e) Chapter 5 (other than sections 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and 237,
subsection 238(1) and Division 2 of Part 5.1);
(f) Chapter 6;
(g) the Schedule. Note: The headings to the sections of the
Radiocommunications Act 1992 are altered by omitting "SMA" (wherever
occurring) and "SMA's" (wherever occurring) and substituting "ACA" or
"ACA's" respectively.
Part 2-Consequential amendments 12 Paragraphs 7(2)(b) and (3)(b)
Omit " Telecommunications Act 1991", substitute " Telecommunications Act 1997
". 13 Paragraph 67(a)
Omit "293", substitute "53 of the Australian Communications Authority Act
1997 ". 14 Subparagraph 107(1)(c)(i)
Omit "293", substitute "53 of the Australian Communications Authority Act
1997 ". 15 Subparagraph 109(1)(b)(i)
Omit "293", substitute "53 of the Australian Communications Authority Act
1997 ". 16 Paragraph 146(2)(b)
Omit "293", substitute "53 of the Australian Communications Authority Act
1997 ". 17 Subparagraph 157(2)(d)(iii)
Repeal the subparagraph, substitute:
(iii) carriage services (within the meaning of the
Telecommunications Act 1997); or 18 Subparagraph 158(2)(d)(iii)
Repeal the subparagraph, substitute:
(iii) carriage services (within the meaning of the
Telecommunications Act 1997); or 19 Paragraph 263(1)(b)
Omit "293", substitute "53 of the Australian Communications Authority Act
1997 ". 20 Section 293
Repeal the section. 21 Transitional-charge determinations
(1) This item applies to a determination that:
(a) was in force under section 293 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992
immediately before the commencement of this item; and
(b) related to a matter in relation to which expenses are incurred by the
SMA under that Act or under regulations under that Act.
(2) The Australian Communications Authority Act 1997 has effect, after the
commencement of this item, as if:
(a) the determination had been made by the ACA under section 53 of that
Act immediately after the commencement of this item; and
(b) each reference in the determination to the SMA were a reference to the
ACA.
(3) This item does not prevent the variation or revocation of the
determination.
Part 3-Public inquiries 22 Subsection 258(2)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
(2) The ACA must make copies of the discussion paper available at each of the
ACA's offices. The ACA may charge a reasonable price for supplying copies of
the discussion paper in accordance with this subsection.
(3) The ACA may otherwise publish the discussion paper, including in
electronic form. The ACA may charge for supplying a publication under this
subsection in accordance with a determination under section 53 of the
Australian Communications Authority Act 1997. 23 At the end of section 259
Add:
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the ACA is taken not to have provided
a reasonable opportunity to make submissions unless there is a period of at
least 28 days during which the submissions could be made. 24 Section 261
Repeal the section, substitute: 261 Hearings
(1) The ACA may hold hearings for the purposes of a public inquiry.
(2) Hearings may be held, for example:
(a) in order to receive submissions about the matter to which the inquiry
relates; or
(b) in order to provide a forum for public discussion of issues relevant
to that matter.
(3) At a hearing, the ACA may be constituted by:
(a) a member or members determined in writing by the Chairman for the
purposes of that hearing; or
(b) if the functions and powers of the ACA in relation to the hearing have
been delegated to a person under section 49 of the Australian
Communications Authority Act 1997-that person.
(4) The Chairman is to preside at all hearings at which he or she is present.
(5) If, at a hearing:
(a) the ACA is not constituted by a delegate referred to in paragraph
(3)(b); and
(b) the Chairman is not present at the hearing; the member specified, in
an instrument under paragraph (3)(a), as the member who is to preside
at the hearing is to preside.
(6) The ACA may regulate the conduct of proceedings at a hearing as it thinks
appropriate. 261A Hearing to be in public except in exceptional cases
(1) This section applies to a hearing conducted under this Part.
(2) The basic rule is that the hearing must take place in public.
(3) However, the hearing, or a part of the hearing, may be conducted in
private if the ACA is satisfied that:
(a) evidence that may be given, or a matter that may arise, during the
hearing or a part of the hearing is of a confidential nature; or
(b) hearing a matter, or part of a matter, in public would not be
conducive to the due administration of this Act.
(4) If the hearing is to be conducted in public, the ACA must give reasonable
public notice of the conduct of the hearing. 261B Confidential material not to
be published
(1) This section applies to a hearing conducted under this Part.
(2) If:
(a) the hearing, or a part of the hearing, takes place in public; and
(b) the ACA is of the opinion that:
(i) evidence or other material presented to the hearing; or
(ii) material in a written submission lodged with the ACA; is of a
confidential nature; the ACA may order that:
(c) the evidence or material not be published; or
(d) its disclosure be restricted.
(3) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with an order
under subsection (2).
(4) A person who intentionally or recklessly contravenes subsection (3) is
guilty of an offence punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding 50
penalty units. Note: See also sections 4AA and 4B of the Crimes Act 1914. 261C
Direction about private hearings
(1) This section applies to a hearing conducted under this Part.
(2) If the hearing, or a part of the hearing, takes place in private, the ACA:
(a) must give directions as to the persons who may be present at the
hearing or the part of the hearing; and
(b) may give directions restricting the disclosure of evidence or other
material presented at the hearing or the part of the hearing.
(3) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a
direction under subsection (2).
(4) A person who intentionally or recklessly contravenes subsection (3) is
guilty of an offence punishable on conviction:
(a) in the case of a direction under paragraph (2)(a)-by a fine not
exceeding 10 penalty units; or
(b) in the case of a direction under paragraph (2)(b)-by a fine not
exceeding 50 penalty units. Note: See also sections 4AA and 4B of the
Crimes Act 1914. 261D Reports on inquiries
(1) If the ACA holds a public inquiry, the ACA must prepare a report setting
out its findings as a result of the inquiry.
(2) If the inquiry was held because of a direction given by the Minister under
section 256, the ACA must give a copy of the report to the Minister.
(3) If the inquiry was held otherwise than because of a direction given by the
Minister under section 256, the ACA must publish the report.
(4) The ACA is not required to include in a report any material:
(a) that is of a confidential nature; or
(b) the disclosure of which is likely to prejudice the fair trial of a
person; or
(c) that is the subject of an order or direction under section 261B or
261C.
Part 4-Standards and other technical regulation 25 Section 5
Insert:
apply, in relation to a label, has a meaning affected by section 9A. 26
Section 5
Insert:
label has a meaning affected by section 9A. 27 Section 5 (definition of
compliance certificate)
Repeal the definition. 28 Section 5 (definition of recognised testing
authority)
Repeal the definition. 29 After section 9
Insert: 9A Application of labels
(1) A reference in this Act to a label includes a reference to a statement.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, a label is taken to be applied to a thing
if:
(a) the label is affixed to the thing; or
(b) the label is woven in, impressed on, worked into or annexed to the
thing; or
(c) the label is affixed to a container, covering, package, case, box or
other thing in or with which the first-mentioned thing is supplied; or
(d) the label is affixed to, or incorporated in, an instruction or other
document that accompanies the first-mentioned thing. 30 Paragraph
101(1)(b)
Omit "SMA, or a person authorised by the SMA,", substitute "ACA, or a
recognised testing authority,". 31 Paragraph 163(1)(a)
Omit "standard", substitute "standard (either directly, or indirectly by means
of a report under paragraph (2)(g))". 32 Subsections 163(2) and (3)
Repeal the subsections, substitute:
(2) The ACA may make an arrangement with any of the following bodies or
associations:
(a) the Standards Association of Australia;
(b) a body or association approved in writing by the Standards Association
of Australia for the purposes of this subsection;
(c) a body or association specified in a written determination made by the
ACA for the purposes of this subsection; under which the body or
association:
(d) prepares a draft of a standard; and
(e) publishes the draft standard; and
(f) undertakes a process of public consultation on the draft standard; and
(g) reports to the ACA on the results of that process of public
consultation.
(3) A copy of an approval under paragraph (2)(b) is to be published in the
Gazette.
(4) A copy of a determination under paragraph (2)(c) is to be published in the
Gazette. 33 Paragraph 164(b)
Omit "published", substitute "notified". 34 Subsection 165(1)
Omit "Subject to subsection (2), a standard", substitute "A standard". 35
Subsection 165(2)
Repeal the subsection. 36 Subsection 167(3)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
(3) In deciding whether to issue a permit, the ACA may have regard to whether
the purpose for which the permit is sought is a purpose related to:
(a) education or research; or
(b) testing of devices; or
(c) demonstration of devices.
(3A) In deciding whether to issue a permit, the ACA must have regard to the
protection of the health or safety of persons who:
(a) operate devices; or
(b) work on devices; or
(c) use services supplied by means of devices; or
(d) are otherwise reasonably likely to be affected by the operation of
devices.
(3B) Subsections (3) and (3A) do not, by implication, limit the matters to
which the ACA may have regard. 37 Paragraph 169(4)(a)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(a) if:
(i) there is in force a written determination made by the ACA that
is expressed to apply in relation to all permits or in relation
to a class of permits in which the permit is included; and
(ii) the determination specifies a period longer than 12 months in
relation to all permits or in relation to a class of permits in
which the permit is included; a day within that longer period;
or 38 At the end of section 169
Add:
(5) A determination under paragraph (4)(a) is a disallowable instrument for
the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 .
(6) The ACA may, by written notice given to the holder of a permit, declare
that the permit has effect as if the permit had specified a day specified in
the notice as the day of expiration of the permit. The declaration has effect
accordingly.
(7) The day specified in a notice under subsection (5) must:
(a) be later than the day on which the notice was given to the holder; and
(b) comply with the rules set out in subsection (4). 39 After section 169
Insert: 169A Compensation-constitutional safety-net
(1) If:
(a) apart from this section, the operation of subsection 169(6) would
result in the acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on
just terms; and
(b) the acquisition would be invalid because of paragraph 51(xxxi) of the
Constitution; the Commonwealth is liable to pay compensation of a
reasonable amount to the person in respect of the acquisition.
(2) If the Commonwealth and the person do not agree on the amount of the
compensation, the person may institute proceedings in the Federal Court for
the recovery from the Commonwealth of such reasonable amount of compensation
as the court determines.
(3) In this section: acquisition of property has the same meaning as in
paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution. just terms has the same meaning as in
paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution. 40 Subparagraph 171(3)(b)(i)
Omit "must", substitute "may". 41 After subparagraph 171(3)(b)(i)
Insert:
(ia) any matter to which the ACA must, under subsection 167(3A), have regard
in deciding whether to issue a permit; and 42 Subsection 182(1)
Omit "affix", substitute "apply". Note: The heading to section 182 of the
Radiocommunications Act 1992 is altered by omitting "affix" and substituting
"apply". 43 Subsection 182(1B)
Omit "affix", substitute "apply". 44 After subsection 182(2)
Insert:
(2A) The method of applying the label to the device must be as specified by
the ACA in the instrument. 45 Subsection 182(3)
Omit "requirements of laws of another country", substitute: requirements of:
(a) a specified law of a foreign country; or
(b) a specified instrument in force under a law of a foreign country; or
(c) a specified convention, treaty or international agreement; or
(d) a specified instrument in force under a specified convention, treaty
or international agreement; 46 Subsection 182(4)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
(4) The notice may specify requirements that must be met before a label can be
applied, including (but not limited to):
(a) a requirement that, before a manufacturer or importer applies the
label, the manufacturer or importer must have obtained a written
statement from a certification body certifying that the device
complies with the standard or class licence specified in the notice;
and
(b) a requirement that, before a manufacturer or importer applies the
label, the device must have been tested by a recognised testing
authority for compliance with the standard or class licence specified
in the notice; and
(c) a requirement that, before a manufacturer or importer applies the
label, the manufacturer or importer must have obtained a written
statement from a competent body certifying that reasonable efforts
have been made to avoid contravention of the standard or class licence
specified in the notice; and
(d) a requirement that, before a manufacturer or importer applies the
label, the manufacturer or importer must make a written declaration in
relation to the device, being a declaration in a form specified in the
notice. Note 1: Certification body is defined by section 183A. Note 2:
Competent body is defined by section 183. Note 3: Recognised testing
authority is defined by section 183. 47 Subsection 182(4A)
Omit "affixed", substitute "applied". 48 Subsection 182(4A)
Omit ", records of". 49 Paragraph 182(4A)(a)
Before "the quality", insert "records of". 50 Paragraph 182(4A)(b) Before "any
results", insert "records of". 51 Paragraph 182(4A)(b)
Omit "class licence.", substitute "class licence; and". 52 Subsection 182(4A)
Add at the end:
(c) a declaration, or a copy of the declaration, made as mentioned in
paragraph (4)(d). 53 Subsection 182(6)
Repeal the subsection. 54 Section 183
Repeal the section, substitute: 183 Recognised testing authorities
(1) The ACA may, by notice in the Gazette, determine that a specified person
or association is an accreditation body for the purposes of this section. The
determination has effect accordingly.
(2) An accreditation body may, by written instrument, determine that a
specified person is a recognised testing authority for the purposes of this
Division. The determination has effect accordingly.
(3) An accreditation body may, by written instrument, determine that a
specified person or association is a competent body for the purposes of this
Division. The determination has effect accordingly. 183A Certification bodies
(1) The ACA may, by notice published in the Gazette, determine that a
specified person or association is an approving body for the purposes of this
section. The determination has effect accordingly.
(2) An approving body may, by written instrument, determine that a specified
person or association is a certification body for the purposes of this
Division. The determination has effect accordingly. 55 Section 184
Repeal the section. 56 Section 185
Repeal the section. 57 Paragraph 186(b)
Omit "affix", substitute "apply". 58 Section 186
Omit "sell or" (wherever occurring). 59 Section 186
Omit "affixed", substitute "applied". 60 Section 187
Omit "affixing", substitute "applying". 61 Section 187
Omit "affix", substitute "apply". Note: The heading to section 187 of the
Radiocommunications Act 1992 is altered by omitting "Affixing" and
substituting "Applying". 62 Section 187A
Omit "affixed", substitute "applied". 63 After section 188
Insert: 188A Protected symbols
(1) A person must not:
(a) use in relation to a business, trade, profession or occupation; or
(b) apply, as a trade mark or otherwise, to goods imported, manufactured,
produced, sold, offered for sale or let on hire; or
(c) use in relation to:
(i) goods or services; or
(ii) the promotion, by any means, of supply or use of goods or
services; a protected symbol, or a symbol so closely resembling
a protected symbol as to be likely to be mistaken for it.
(2) A person who intentionally or recklessly contravenes subsection (1) is
guilty of an offence punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding 30
penalty units. Note: See also sections 4AA and 4B of the Crimes Act 1914.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) limits anything else in that subsection.
(4) Nothing in subsection (1), so far as it applies in relation to a protected
symbol, affects rights conferred by law on a person in relation to:
(a) a trade mark that is registered under the Trade Marks Act 1995; or
(b) a design that is registered under the Designs Act 1906; and was so
registered immediately before 16 August 1996 in relation to the
symbol.
(5) Nothing in this section, so far as it applies to a protected symbol,
affects the use, or rights conferred by law relating to the use, of the symbol
by a person in a particular manner if, immediately before 16 August 1996, the
person:
(a) was using the symbol in good faith in that manner; or
(b) would have been entitled to prevent another person from passing off,
by means of the use of the symbol or a similar symbol, goods or
services as the goods or services of the first-mentioned person.
(6) This section does not apply to a person who uses or applies a protected
symbol for the purposes of labelling a device in accordance with section 182
of this Act or labelling customer equipment or customer cabling in accordance
with section 407 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.
(7) This section does not apply to a person who uses or applies a protected
symbol for a purpose of a kind specified in a written determination made by
the ACA.
(8) A reference in this section to a protected symbol is a reference to:
(a) the symbol known in the radiocommunications community as the C- Tick
mark:
(i) the design of which is set out in a written determination made
by the ACA; and
(ii) a purpose of which, after the commencement of this section, is
to indicate compliance by a device with:
(A) any applicable standards; and
(B) any applicable class licences; or
(b) a symbol:
(i) the design of which is set out in a written determination made
by the ACA; and
(ii) a purpose of which, after the commencement of this section, is
to indicate compliance by a device with:
(A) any applicable standards; and
(B) any applicable class licences; or
(c) a symbol:
(i) the design of which is set out in a written determination made
by the ACA; and
(ii) a purpose of which, after the commencement of this section, is
to indicate non-compliance by a device with:
(A) applicable standards; and
(B) any applicable class licences.
(9) For the purposes of this Division, if:
(a) a label is applied to a device; and
(b) the label embodies a symbol referred to in paragraph (8)(a), or (b);
the label is taken to indicate that the device meets the requirements
of:
(c) each applicable standard; and
(d) each applicable class licence.
(10) For the purposes of this Division, if:
(a) a label is applied to a device; and
(b) the label embodies a symbol referred to in paragraph (8)(c); the label
is taken to indicate that the device does not meet the requirements
of:
(c) each applicable standard; and
(d) each applicable class licence.
(11) For the purposes of this section, a standard or class licence is taken to
be applicable in relation to a device if, and only if, the standard or licence
was specified in the subsection 182(1) notice that dealt with the manufacture
or importation of the device.
(12) A determination made by the ACA under subsection (7) or (8) is a
disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts
Interpretation Act 1901 .
(13) In addition to its effect apart from this subsection, this section also
has the effect it would have if a reference in subsection (1) to a person
were, by express provision, confined to a corporation to which paragraph
51(xx) of the Constitution applies.
(14) In addition to its effect apart from this subsection, this section also
has the effect it would have if each reference in subsection (1) to use, or to
application, were a reference to use or application, as the case may be, in
the course of, or in relation to:
(a) trade or commerce between Australia and places outside Australia; or
(b) trade or commerce among the States; or
(c) trade or commerce within a Territory, between a State and a Territory
or between 2 Territories; or
(d) the supply of goods or services to the Commonwealth, to a Territory or
to an authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth or of a
Territory; or
(e) the defence of Australia; or
(f) the operation of lighthouses, lightships, beacons or buoys; or
(g) astronomical or meteorological observations; or
(h) an activity of a corporation to which paragraph 51(xx) of the
Constitution applies; or
(i) banking, other than State banking; or
(j) insurance, other than State insurance; or
(k) weighing or measuring.
(15) In this section:
customer cabling has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997 .
customer equipment has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997
.
radiocommunications community has the same meaning as in the
Australian Communications Authority Act 1997. 64 Paragraph 277(1)(a)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(a) a transmitter is operating on any land, or on or in any premises,
vessel, aircraft or vehicle; and 65 Paragraph 277(1)(c)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(c) the operation of the transmitter is:
(i) interfering with radiocommunications that are essential to the
safety of human life; or
(ii) interfering substantially with the operation of an organisation
specified in regulations made for the purposes of paragraph
193(1)(a); or
(iii) interfering substantially with the operation of an organisation
referred to in paragraph 193(1)(b) or (c); or
(iv) causing substantial loss or damage; 66 Paragraph 277(1)(e)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(e) subject to subsection (2), take such action as the inspector considers
necessary to cause the transmitter to:
(i) cease operating; or
(ii) operate in such a way that no longer gives rise to one or more
of the consequences set out in paragraph (c). 67 Paragraph
279(1)(d)
Omit "affixed", substitute "applied". 68 After paragraph 285(q)
Insert:
(qa) giving a notice under subsection 169(6); 69 Subsections 300(1) and (4)
Omit "affix", substitute "apply". 70 Section 314A
Repeal the section, substitute: 314A Instruments under this Act may provide
for matters by reference to other instruments
(1) An instrument under this Act may make provision in relation to a matter by
applying, adopting or incorporating (with or without modifications) provisions
of any Act:
(a) as in force at a particular time; or
(b) as in force from time to time.
(2) An instrument under this Act may make provision in relation to a matter by
applying, adopting or incorporating (with or without modifications) matter
contained in any other instrument or writing whatever:
(a) as in force or existing at a particular time; or
(b) as in force or existing from time to time; even if the other
instrument or writing does not yet exist when the instrument under
this Act is made.
(3) A reference in subsection (2) to any other instrument or writing includes
a reference to an instrument or writing:
(a) made by any person or body in Australia or elsewhere (including, for
example, the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, an officer or
authority of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory or an
overseas entity); and
(b) whether of a legislative, administrative or other official nature or
of any other nature; and
(c) whether or not having any legal force or effect; for example:
(d) regulations or rules under an Act; or
(e) a State Act, a law of a Territory, or regulations or any other
instrument made under such an Act or law; or
(f) an international technical standard or performance indicator; or
(g) a written agreement or arrangement or an instrument or writing made
unilaterally.
(4) Nothing in this section limits the generality of anything else in it.
(5) Subsections (1) and (2) have effect despite anything in:
(a) the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; or
(b) the Legislative Instruments Act 1997.
(6) In this section: instrument under this Act means:
(a) the regulations; or
(b) any other instrument made under this Act. 71 Transitional-procedures
for making standards
The amendments of section 163 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 made by this
Schedule do not apply in relation to a standard made before 1 July 1998 if the
SMA had taken any action in relation to the standard under that section before
the commencement of this item. 72 Transitional-section 186 of the
Radiocommunications Act 1992
(1) This item applies to the amendment of section 186 of the
Radiocommunications Act 1992 made by this Schedule, being the amendment that
omits the expression "sell or".
(2) The amendment does not imply that the expression "supply", when used in a
provision of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, does not include supply by way
of sale.
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