028/06
4 April 2006

An end to nuisance calls—A National Do Not Call Register

A national, legislated Do Not Call register will be created to protect consumers from nuisance telemarketing phone calls, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, announced today.

“The Register will cost just over $33 million to set up and the Australian Government has committed $17.2 million with the remainder of the costs to be met by industry. The Government will introduce legislation as soon as possible to establish the Register and create minimum standards for the behaviour of telemarketers,” Senator Coonan said.

“The number of unsolicited calls in Australia has grown significantly in recent years, and has led to rising community concerns about the inconvenience and intrusiveness of telemarketing.

“Based on international experience the Government expects that there will be one million registrations in the first week of operation and four million after the Register’s first year. 

“The Register will apply to all telemarketers operating in Australia, as well as those overseas telemarketers who represent Australian companies. It will also include a range of enforcement options, including warnings, fines, formal directions and financial penalties.”

The legislation will also establish national minimum contact standards for telemarketers.

The standards will cover permitted calling hours, minimum information requirements and termination of calls. The standards will apply to all telemarketers, including specified public interest bodies exempted from the Do Not Call Register arrangements.

More than 90 per cent of the 495 submissions received in response to a discussion paper on a Register released last year supported the creation of a Register.

“A Do Not Call register, open to individuals and small businesses, will enable people to opt out from receiving unsolicited telemarketing calls. Once a telephone number is registered, it will be prohibited for telemarketers to contact that number,” Senator Coonan said.

“However, in recognition of the need for some organisations with underlying public interest objectives to make unsolicited calls, a limited range of exemptions will apply, for example, to charity groups and people undertaking social research. Exemptions will also apply to companies with an existing business relationship with an individual, for example with existing accounts or contracts.”

Individuals and small businesses will not be required to pay a fee for registering their telephone numbers. Telemarketers will contribute to the costs of running the scheme through the payment of subscription fees to access the register.

The register is expected to be up and running in 2007.