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2002-2003
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
THE SENATE
COMMUNICATIONS
LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 1) 2002
SUPPLEMENTARY
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
Amendments to be moved on behalf of
the Government
Amendment (1) changes the commencement date of Schedule 2 to the Bill
from 27 June 2002 (the date the Bill was introduced into the House of
Representatives) to 27 March 2003 (the date the Bill was passed by the House of
Representatives). This will lessen the retrospective operation of Schedule 2
and ensure that its aims are not frustrated. A degree of retrospectivity is
required so that the Freedom of Information Act 1982 cannot be used to
undermine the operation of the on-line content regime in Schedule 5 to the
Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
Amendment (2) changes the
commencement date of Schedule 4 to the Bill from 1 April 2003 to the day after
the Bill, when enacted, receives the Royal Assent. This will ensure the
validity of any decisions made by the current members of the
‘specially-constituted’ Australian Communications Authority (ACA)
for the purposes of Schedule 3 to the Telecommunications Act 1997 from 2
April 2003 until the enactment of the Bill.
(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon.
Richard Alston, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the
Arts)