Telemarketers targeted with Do Not Call Register

Adam Turner
Thursday, 01 February 2007 14:25

IT Industry - Market

Telemarketers are the focus of Australia's Do Not Call Register, with Melbourne-based Service Stream awarded the contract to build and operate the register until February 2011.

The Do Not Call Register will enable individuals with Australian fixed line and mobile numbers to opt out of receiving a wide range of telemarketing calls. Service Stream won the four year, $AU12.1 million contract to maintain the register, but the Australian Communications and Media Authority will retain responsibility for overseeing the register’s operation and investigating breaches of the Do Not Call Register legislation.

The register is being established in response to the increasing levels of community concern about the growth in unsolicited telemarketing calls. The legislation provides for telemarketers to submit their calling lists for checking against the Do Not Call Register. It is expected to be fully operational by no later than the end of May 2007. From that time, it will be unlawful, in the absence of consent,  for any "non-exempt telemarketer" in Australia or overseas to contact a number listed in the register - with fines up to $AU220,000. Exempt telemarketers include political lobbyists, opinion pollsters and charities.

Under the Do Not Call Register scheme, ACMA is also working towards a telemarketing industry standard. The standard will govern such matters as permitted calling hours and provision of minimum information by telemarketers and will apply to all telemarketing calls whether they are prohibited by the scheme or not. The register has already been the target of scammers.

ACMA has released for public comment a draft determination setting out the arrangements for telemarketers accessing the register. Written responses to the draft determination are due no later than Friday 23 February, 2007.