Senator the Hon Helen Coonan was Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 18 July 2004 to 3 December 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Senator Stephen Conroy is the current Minister for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

Logo for Senator the Hon Helen Coonan - Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts - Media Release

46/07 Wednesday 3 May 2007

Launch of early registrations for the new ‘Do Not Call’ register

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today launched the Do Not Call Register, enabling Australians to greatly reduce the number of unwanted telemarketing calls.

“From today, Australians can register their personal home and mobile numbers, making it illegal for telemarketers to call these numbers after 31 May,” Senator Coonan said.

“The Do Not Call Register allows families to re-claim their evenings as their own, to once again enjoy uninterrupted dinner times.

“Even if the call is being made from a foreign country, if the call is made on behalf of an Australian company, it will be illegal.

“While a very limited amount of calls will be allowed, including those from charities and market research companies, evidence shows the Register will greatly reduce the number of unsolicited calls.

“Based on overseas experience, there is expected to be a high level of demand for the Register - as many as one million registrations expected in the first week,” Senator Coonan said.

Registration is free and can easily be done by completing a short form online at www.donotcall.gov.au, while telephone-based registrations will be available later this month.

Forms will also be available through Australia Post Offices from mid-May.

“Registrations are valid for three years, and people can withdraw their registration at any time.

Registrations start today and the scheme becomes fully operational on 31 May.

If consumers receive telemarketing calls more than a month after registering on the Do Not Call Register, they can lodge a complaint online at www.donotcall.gov.au or through the Do Not Call complaints line, on 1300 792 958.

Telemarketers will be required to ‘wash’ their telephone contact lists via the Do Not Call Register from 25 May 2007 and from 31 May 2007 will be bound by the legislation and new rules for telemarketing calls.

The Do Not Call Register Act 2006 and the Do Not Call Register (Consequential Amendments) Act 2006 were passed by Parliament on 22 June 2006 and gave the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) the task of establishing the Register.