Anti-telemarketing bill faces Senate scrutiny

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 02 December 2009 10:50

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

A bill that would extend do-not-call legislation from residential phone numbers to all phone, and fax, numbers has been referred to a Senate Committee for scrutiny and report.

The Do Not Call Register Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 was tabled in the House of Reps on 26 November. It has been referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts, which has requested submissions by 22 January in order to meet its scheduled reporting date of 24 February.

In his second reading speech on the bill, Anthony Albanese, minister for infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government, said businesses, particularly small businesses, had raised concerns about the losses in productivity caused by responding to unsolicited telemarketing calls.

"There have also been concerns raised by fax owners that the register does not allow them to opt out of receiving unsolicited commercial faxes. Much of the cost of a marketing fax is transferred to the recipient in lost time, productivity and the tying up of telecommunications equipment, as well as the additional cost of consumables such as ink and paper."

He added that even emergency services were suffering under the onslaught of telemarketing calls. "Telemarketers are bypassing emergency numbers such as 000 and directly contacting emergency service operators such as the fire brigade through the use of predictive dialling equipment. These calls divert emergency resources while the telemarketing calls are being answered."

He explained that the new legislation was not intended to impinge on business-to business communications "which are an important part of everyday business activity."

"Businesses will still be able to contact other businesses with whom they have a relationship under the current inferred consent provisions. Businesses that have given express consent to receive calls or faxes may also continue to be contacted. However, 'cold calls' and marketing faxes to businesses that do not fall under the express or inferred consent provisions in the act will be prohibited for numbers that are listed on the Do Not Call Register."

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