National Do Not Call Register a Step Closer

On 25 May 2006, the Do Not Call Register Bill 2006 (Bill) was introduced into federal parliament. The Bill will for the first time establish an Australian national Do Not Call Register allowing individuals to opt-out of receiving unsolicited voice calls offering, advertising or promoting goods or services, interests in land, business or investment opportunities, or soliciting donations (telemarketing calls).

Register

If the Bill is enacted, Australians will be able to choose to register their private (non-business) fixed and mobile numbers free of charge on a new Do Not Call Register to be administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Telemarketers will be required to pay for access to the register and access will only be by way of submitting a list of proposed numbers to the ACMA. The ACMA will advise the telemarketer which numbers are, or are not, on the register. This is likely to be effected by the ACMA returning the telemarketer’s list with all