BROADCASTING.

No. 82 of 1954.

An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act 1942–1953.

[Assented to 18th November, 1954.]

BE it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.)     This Act may be cited as the Broadcasting Act 1954.

(2.)  The Broadcasting Act 1942–1953 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.)  The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Broadcasting Act 1942–1954.

Commencement.

2.    This Act shall come into operation on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.

Constitution of Board.

3.    Section six b of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-section (1.) the word “three” and inserting in its stead the word “five”;

(b) by inserting after sub-section (1.) the following sub-section:—

“(1a.) Two of the members shall be appointed as part-time members.”;

(c) by inserting in sub-section (2.), after the word “members”, the words”; not being a part-time member,”;

(d) by omitting sub-section (3.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-section:—

“(3.) A person who—

(a) has any financial interest, whether direct or indirect, in any company which is the licensee of, or an applicant for a licence for, a commercial broadcasting station or a commercial television station or manufactures or deals in equipment for the transmission or reception of broadcasting, television or facsimile programmers;

(b) is a member of the governing body of any company or other association of persons which is the licensee of, or an applicant for, a licence for, a commercial broadcasting station or commercial television station; or

(c) is the licensee of, or an applicant for a licence for, a commercial broadcasting station or commercial television station,

shall not be appointed a member of the Board.”; and

(e) by inserting in sub-section (4.), after the word “member”, the words “,other than a part-time member,”.

Term of office of members.

4.    Section six c of the Principal Act is amended by inserting in sub-section (2.), after the word “member” (first occurring), the words “other than a part-time member”.

Meetings of Board.

5.    Section six d of the Principal Act is amended by omitting sub-section (2.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-sections:—

“(1a.) The Chairman of the Board shall call a meeting of the Board whenever requested to do so by two members.

“(2.)    At any meeting of the Board, the Chairman and two other members (of whom not more than one shall be a part-time member) constitute a quorum.”.

Dismissal and vacation of offices.

6.    Section six g of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by inserting in paragraph (a) of sub-section (2.), after the word “if”, the words “,not being a part-time member,”;

(b) by omitting from paragraph (f) of sub-section (2.) the word “or”; and

(c) by omitting paragraph (g) of sub-section (2.) and inserting in its stead the following paragraphs:—

“(g) if, not being a part-time member, he absents himself from duty, except with leave granted by the Minister, for a period of fourteen consecutive days, or for twenty-eight days in any period of twelve months; or

“(h) if, being a part-time member, he absents himself, except with leave granted by the Minister, from all meetings of the Board held during two consecutive months.”.