EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

TELECOMMUNICATIONS (CARRIER LICENCE CHARGES) (PARAGRAPH 15(1)(d)) DETERMINATION 2021 (No. 1)

Issued by authority of the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts

Authority

The Determination is made under paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997 (the Act).

Section 15 of the Act sets out the method of calculating the maximum annual charges that apply to the carrier licences held by telecommunications carriers. Paragraphs 15(1)(a) to (d) set out the amounts to be used in the calculation.

Subsection 15(2) of the Act provides that an instrument under subsection 15(1) is a legislative instrument.

Commencement

This Determination commences at the start of the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation, in accordance with paragraph 12(1)(a) of the Legislation Act 2003.

Note: the Federal Register of Legislation may be accessed at www.legislation.gov.au

Purpose and operation

The Determination has been made for the purposes of paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Act.

Details

The Determination provides that $2,358,000 is the estimated total amount of grants likely to be made during the 2020-21 financial year under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Tel Act).

For the 2020-21 financial year, the determinations referenced in paragraphs 15(1)(a), (c) and (ca) of the Act will be made by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and the determination referenced in paragraph 15(1)(b) will be made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Background

Section 593 of the Tel Act provides that the Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, make a grant of financial assistance to:

·         a consumer body for purposes in connection with the representation of the interests of consumers in relation to telecommunications issues (subsection 593(1)); and/or

·         a person or body for purposes in connection with research into the social, economic, environmental or technological implications of developments relating to telecommunications (subsection 593(2)).

Since 2009-10, several grants of financial assistance under section 593 of the Tel Act have been provided to the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). ACCAN is the peak body representing consumers of telecommunication services. ACCAN is currently provided grant funding as part of a multi-year funding agreement that expires on 31 May 2022.

The grant enables ACCAN to conduct activities necessary for an effective peak communications consumer advocate, including representation, research, consumer education and participation in self-regulatory activities. The grant also allows ACCAN to operate a competitive Independent Grants Program for individuals and organisations to undertake research or representation projects in the interest of the telecommunication consumer.

Consultation

Consultation on the Determination was considered unnecessary because the instrument is of a minor or machinery nature and does not substantially alter existing arrangements.

The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) was consulted about the making of this Determination under paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Act. The OBPR considered that a carve out would be appropriate for determinations made under paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997, as these determinations are machinery in nature. This carve out is a standing agreement between OBPR and the Department to remove the need for a Preliminary Assessment. The reference number for this carve out is 43366.

Other details

A statement of compatibility with human rights for the purposes of Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 is set out in Attachment 1.

Attachment 1

Statement of compatibility with human rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the 

Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

TELECOMMUNICATIONS (CARRIER LICENCE CHARGES) (PARAGRAPH 15(1)(d)) DETERMINATION 2021 (No. 1)

The Determination is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

The Determination is made by the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts under paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Telecommunications (Carrier Licence Charges) Act 1997.

The Determination sets out the estimated total amount of grants that are likely to be made during the 2020-21 financial year under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.  

Section 593 provides that the Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, make grants of financial assistance to persons or bodies (for purposes in connection with research into the social, economic, environmental or technological implications of developments relating to telecommunications), and to consumer bodies (for purposes in connection with the representation of consumer interests in relation to telecommunications issues).

The Determination does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms. Accordingly, the Determination is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011, as it does not raise any human rights issues.