APPENDIX 3
BILLS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 1996 SPRING
SITTINGS
STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR THE SENATE
Name of Bill:
Purpose:
To rewrite the Telecommunications Act 1991. The Bill provides,
amongst other things, for:
- elimination of barriers to participation in the Australian telecommunications
market from 1 July 1997;
- a new licensing structure for carriers and other providers of
telecommunications services;
- standard conditions applying to the activities of carriers and
service providers;
- technical regulation;
- codes of practice and mandatory standards on matters of interest
to consumers; and
- universal service obligations for standard telecommunications
services and other consumer safeguards.
Reasons for urgency:
It is highly desirable that the Bill be passed at the earliest
opportunity before full and open competition commences on 1 July
1997. Early passage will enable participants in the telecommunications
industry to plan their investments, develop codes of practice, access
codes and undertakings (dealt with by the Trade Practices Amendment
(Telecommunications) Bill 1996) and make other appropriate
arrangements.
It is also highly desirable to have a settled regulatory framework
in place before any shares in Telstra are offered for sale in accordance
with the Telstra (Dilution of Public Ownership) Bill 1996.
(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon. Richard Alston, Minister
for Communications and the Arts)
Name of Bill:
Purpose:
To provide for the merger of the Australian Telecommunications
Authority (AUSTEL) and the Spectrum Management Agency (SMA) from
1 July 1997.
Reasons for urgency:
This Bill is related to the Telecommunications Bill 1996.
It is highly desirable that the Bill be passed at the earliest
opportunity before full and open competition commences on 1 July
1997. Early passage will enable participants in the telecommunications
industry to plan their investments, develop codes of practice, access
codes and undertakings (dealt with by the Trade Practices Amendment
(Telecommunications) Bill 1996) and make other appropriate arrangements.
It is also highly desirable to have a settled regulatory framework
in place before any shares in Telstra are offered for sale.
(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon. Richard Alston, Minister
for Communications and the Arts)
Name of Bill:
Purpose:
To provide for transitional provisions arising from the Telecommunications
Bill 1996 and the merger of AUSTEL and the SMA and to make consequential
amendments to other Acts.
Reasons for urgency:
This Bill is related to the Telecommunications Bill 1996.
It is highly desirable that the Bill be passed at the earliest
opportunity before full and open competition commences on 1 July
1997. Early passage will enable participants in the telecommunications
industry to plan their investments, develop codes of practice, access
codes and undertakings (dealt with by the Trade Practices Amendment
(Telecommunications) Bill 1996) and make other appropriate arrangements.
It is also highly desirable to have a settled regulatory framework
in place before any shares in Telstra are offered for sale.
(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon. Richard Alston, Minister
for Communications and the Arts)
Name of Bill:
Purpose:
To impose a levy in connection with ensuring that standard telecommunications
services and payphones are reasonably accessible to all people in
Australia.
Reasons for urgency:
This Bill is related to the Telecommunications Bill 1996.
It is highly desirable that the Bill be passed at the earliest
opportunity before full and open competition commences on 1 July
1997.) Early passage will enable participants in the telecommunications
industry to plan their investments, develop codes of practice, access
codes and undertakings (dealt with by the Trade Practices Amendment
(Telecommunications) Bill 1996) and make other appropriate arrangements.
It is also highly desirable to have a settled regulatory framework
in place before any shares in Telstra are offered for sale.
(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon. Richard Alston, Minister
for Communications and the Arts)
Name of Bill:
Purpose:
To provide for the payment of charges for carrier licences granted
under the Telecommunications Bill 1996.
Reasons for urgency:
This Bill is related to the Telecommunications Bill 1996.
It is highly desirable that the Bill be passed at the earliest
opportunity before full and open competition commences on 1 July
1997.) Early passage will enable participants in the telecommunications
industry to plan their investments, develop codes of practice, access
codes and undertakings (dealt with by the Trade Practices Amendment
(Telecommunications) Bill 1996) and make other appropriate arrangements.
It is also highly desirable to have a settled regulatory framework
in place before any shares in Telstra are offered for sale.
(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon. Richard Alston, Minister
for Communications and the Arts)
Name of Bill:
Purpose:
To provide for the payment of charges for the allocation of numbers
for particular telecommunications services.
Reasons for urgency:
This Bill is related to the Telecommunications Bill 1996.
It is highly desirable that the Bill be passed at the earliest
opportunity before full and open competition commences on 1 July
1997.) Early passage will enable participants in the telecommunications
industry to plan their investments, develop codes of practice, access
codes and undertakings (dealt with by the Trade Practices Amendment
(Telecommunications) Bill 1996) and make other appropriate arrangements.
It is also highly desirable to have a settled regulatory framework
in place before any shares in Telstra are offered for sale.
(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon. Richard Alston, Minister
for Communications and the Arts)
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