INTERACTIVE GAMBLING BILL 2001 Explanatory Memorandum
INTERACTIVE GAMBLING BILL 2001
1998-1999-2000-2001
THE PARLIAMENT OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF
AUSTRALIA
SENATE
INTERACTIVE
GAMBLING BILL 2001
EXPLANATORY
MEMORANDUM
(Circulated by
authority of the Minister for
Communications, Information Technology and
the Arts,
Senator the Honourable Richard Alston)
ISBN: 0642 469067
INTERACTIVE GAMBLING BILL
2001
OUTLINE
The Interactive Gambling Bill 2001 (the Bill) provides for restrictions
and complaints in relation to interactive gambling services. The framework in
the Bill has two main elements. Firstly it creates an offence of providing an
Australian-based interactive gambling service to customers in Australia.
Secondly the Bill establishes a complaints scheme which will enable Australians
to make complaints about interactive gambling services on the Internet which are
available to Australians.
The Government is concerned that new
interactive technology, such as the Internet and datacasting has the potential
to greatly increase the accessibility to gambling and exacerbate problem
gambling among Australians.
The proposed framework contained in the Bill
will limit the development of this newly emerging industry and minimise the
scope for problem gambling among Australians. It balances the protection of
Australians with a sensible and enforceable regulatory regime. The Government
is concerned not to impose unreasonable obligations upon Internet service
providers. The proposed regulatory framework in the Bill will give the ABA
powers to issue notices to Internet service providers aimed at taking reasonable
steps to prevent access to prohibited Internet gambling content hosted outside
Australia.
The main elements of the proposed framework
are:
• an offence provision which makes it an offence for providers
with a specified link to Australia to provide interactive gambling services to a
person physically present in Australia;
• an industry-based system
for responding to complaints in relation to interactive gambling services where
the relevant content is available for access on the Internet by Australian
customers;
• a complaints mechanism will be established in which a
person may complain to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) about
prohibited Internet gambling content;
• in relation to Internet
content hosted in Australia, the ABA must refer the complaint to an Australian
police force if the ABA considers that the complaint should be so referred eg.
if it appears from the complaint that a person may be committing an offence of
providing an Australian-based interactive gambling service to
Australians;
• in relation to Internet content hosted outside
Australia, the ABA must notify the content to the police if it considers that
the content should be referred to the police. In addition the ABA will notify
the content to Internet service providers so that the providers can deal with
the content in accordance with procedures specified in an industry code or
standard. In the absence of an industry code or standard the ABA will be given
powers to issue a notice to Internet service providers to take reasonable steps
to prevent access to the Internet content;
• Internet service
providers will be protected from civil proceedings by customers affected by ABA
notices;
• a graduated scale of sanctions against Internet service
providers for breaching ABA notices or the Bill will apply.
The
Government does not propose to mandate any particular technological solutions to
filtering overseas sourced material. Rather, the industry will be asked in the
first instance to propose appropriate procedures they would follow in preventing
access to prohibited sites. These procedures would take account of technical
limitations and cost considerations. However, if the industry is unable or
unwilling to develop such procedures itself, or if the procedures are deficient,
the ABA will have the ability to make a mandatory industry standard. The
Minister will also have the ability to direct the ABA to determine an industry
standard if an ABA request to a relevant industry body or association to make an
industry code is not complied with. In any event, service providers will only
be required to prevent access to material available on their service that has
been subject to a complaint and when subsequently notified by the ABA.
The Government will continue to work within the Ministerial Council on
Gambling for a collaborative national approach on problem gambling. Agreements
reached at Council of Australian Governments on 6 November 2000 will result in
States and Territories implementing a series of harm minimisation measures
immediately. More far-reaching measures and research and public awareness
strategies will be developed further under the auspices of the Ministerial
Council.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The Bill is not expected to have any financial impact on Commonwealth
expenditure or revenue.
REGULATION IMPACT STATEMENT
INTRODUCTION
The Government has a general concern
about problem gambling in Australia. The Productivity Commission found in 1999
that 2.1% of the adult Australian population or 290,000 people suffer from
problem gambling. 130,000 people experience severe problems. For every problem
gambler at least seven other people are adversely affected. There is in addition
concern that interactive gambling represents a quantum leap in the accessibility
of gambling services, and could exacerbate problem gambling in
Australia.
Australia already has one of the largest per capita gambling
industries in the world. The Productivity Commission found that, on average,
adult Australians currently spend at least twice as much on legalised gambling
as people in North America and Europe—making Australians among the
heaviest gamblers in the world. The negative social impacts associated with the
gambling industry affect many Australian families and communities. They also
affect the Commonwealth Government in terms of welfare and other support
functions provided to victims of problem gambling.
Australia is also at
the forefront of the information economy. It is one of the top four nations in
terms of homes with Internet connections and the percentage of the population
with Internet access. In 1999, six million Australians had access to the
Internet, and of these more than 75% accessed it more than once a week. Between
November 1998 and November 1999, the number of households with Internet access
increased by over 100%. Over the next twelve months this access is expected to
continue to grow rapidly and significantly. The percentage of households with
Internet access is expected to grow from 25% in November 1999 to 35% by November
2000. This growth in Internet access corresponds to a growth in the
accessibility of gambling services. Australians are also becoming increasingly
comfortable with conducting electronic transactions online. Over 800,000 people
purchased goods or services over the Internet in the year ending November
1999—an increase of 183% on the previous year’s figure of
286,000.
Furthermore, the Internet is only one of a growing number of new
communications technologies. Within the next year, new interactive broadcasting
services and wireless telecommunications services could provide new platforms
for gambling.
These factors underlie the concern of both the Commonwealth
and the community about the potential for interactive gambling to exacerbate the
negative social impacts of excessive gambling. New communications technologies
have the potential to enable services equivalent to poker machines, casino
games, or bookmakers in every Australian home, 24 hours a day. The Productivity
Commission has described this as a ‘quantum leap’ in accessibility.
This could contribute to an associated growth in problem gambling.
Of
particular concern is the presence of gambling in the home. Households with
children have been early adopters of new interactive technology such as the
Internet. Table 1 demonstrates the high level of Internet uptake in
households with children.
Table 1: Internet access at home
|
Nov 1998
|
Nov 1999
|
Couples with children
|
27%
|
39%
|
Single parent families
|
15%
|
19%
|
Couples with no children
|
15%
|
23%
|
Single person
|
9%
|
10%
|
Other
|
22%
|
25%
|
Source: The Current State of Play:
Australia and the Information Economy, National Office for the Information
Economy, 2000
While parents may take reasonable precautions to prevent their
children from accessing gambling within the home (via the home computer, for
example), it is possible that parental gambling within the home may encourage
children to learn and rehearse gambling activities and behaviours.
New
interactive technology gives content developers the ability to include highly
attractive multimedia content in game and site development. Internet gambling
sites already offer sophisticated graphics, music, and live broadcasts of events
such as horse racing. Improvements in bandwidth, accessibility and processor
technology will give developers new opportunities to create new gambling
products.
Young people are early adopters of digital technology and may
be particularly attracted to using high-tech gambling products. This may create
a new population of problem gamblers. Although technology offers new
opportunities for verifying the identity and age of a gambler, the Commonwealth
is concerned that savvy users—particularly younger, computer-literate
users—may still find ways around these measures and access gambling from
the home. The growth and impact of the Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) market in
Australia is an example of how new gambling products can attract new gambling
populations, and create new problem gambling.
The Commonwealth is aware
of broad community concern about gambling. The Productivity Commission found
that while most Australians gamble, around 70% of Australians (including a
substantial majority of regular gamblers) consider that gambling does more harm
than good to the community. A significant proportion of the submissions made to
the Senate Information Technologies Select Committee’s inquiry into
Internet gambling expressed concern about the potential for interactive gambling
to exacerbate problem gambling in Australia.
In early 2000, the
Government decided to pursue a 12-month moratorium on new interactive gambling
services in order to allow the feasibility and consequences of a permanent ban
to be studied. After failing to secure the support of all of the States and
Territories for a voluntary moratorium, the Government introduced the
Interactive Gambling (Moratorium) Bill 2000. The moratorium period
commenced on 18 May 2000, and covers interactive gaming and interactive wagering
after a sporting event has commenced.
The Government also established a
Ministerial Council to provide leadership on problem gambling. It is made up of
State and Territory Ministers and is chaired by the Commonwealth Minister for
Family and Community Services. The Ministerial Council met for the first time on
19 April 2000, and agreed to aims and objectives towards a national approach to
the problem gambling. It also agreed to exchange information on responsible
gambling strategies, and to provide a forum for common issues, with the
objective of developing suitable regulatory approaches.
In November 2000,
the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) considered the issue of problem
gambling. It reached agreement on the immediate implementation of a set of harm
minimisation measures by State and Territory Governments, mostly focused on
electronic gaming machines (EGMs, or ‘pokies’), and agreed that the
Ministerial Council would consider a number of more far-reaching measures. This
agreement will form the basis for the future work of the Ministerial Council.
Interactive gambling was not discussed by COAG. The framework agreed in
principle at COAG was progressed at an officials’ meeting of the
Ministerial Council in January 2001. The next Ministerial meeting is scheduled
for 20 April 2001.
The National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE)
conducted a study into the feasibility and consequences of banning interactive
gambling in consultation with the Department of Family and Community Services
(FaCS). The report considered the technical feasibility of banning interactive
gambling on the Internet, and the possible economic and social consequences of a
ban, and made the following findings:
1. There are several technical
methods that could potentially be used to implement a ban on interactive
gambling based on Internet content control. These include packet filtering,
content filtering, router filtering and detection-response filtering.
However:
• all of these methods can potentially degrade general Internet performance;
• none would be 100% effective in preventing Australians’ access
to interactive gambling services; and
• implementation would take at
least six to twelve months and would require consultation with the gambling
industry, telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers.
Content control options are only relevant to gambling services provided from overseas. Implementing a ban on domestic interactive gambling service providers or on interactive gambling services delivered via digital broadcasting or mobile telephony would require legislative change only.
2. The Commonwealth has clear constitutional and enforcement powers to ban interactive gambling within Australia. Any banning legislation would probably not involve an acquisition of property requiring the provision of just terms compensation.
3. A ban via financial controls is not feasible.
4. Interactive gambling is a rapidly growing e-commerce industry. However, a ban would be consistent with the Commonwealth’s e-commerce strategy, which calls for appropriate legal and regulatory measures to protect consumers.
5. Economic modelling commissioned for the study indicates that a ban may have modest or small economic benefits for Australia in terms of restricting access to a harmful activity and possible aggregate benefits for State and Territory taxation revenue. There is also a need for further regulation impact analysis of the costs and benefits of options for implementing any ban. In particular, the modelling did not factor in potential costs to Government and industry of implementing a ban.
6. The growth of interactive gambling has the potential for negative social
consequences in Australia because of increased accessibility of gambling
services.
7. A ban would be consistent with Australia’s current
obligations in the context of the General Agreement on Trade in Services, but
would need to take into account the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic
Relations Agreement.
ISSUE
The Government is concerned that new interactive
communication services will give interactive gambling service providers (IGSPs)
new opportunities to increase the size and accessibility of the gambling
industry in Australia. The Productivity Commission has found a strong link
between the accessibility of gambling services and the prevalence of problem
gambling in the community. In its report, Australia’s Gambling
Industries (1999), it states that ‘there is sufficient evidence from
many different sources to suggest a significant connection between greater
accessibility ... and the greater prevalence of problem
gambling.’
The concern is thus that the growth in availability of
interactive gambling services to the Australian community will lead to an
increase in problem gambling.
OBJECTIVES
The Government
is concerned that the interactive gambling industry has the potential to expand
rapidly in Australia, and that any further expansion of interactive gambling
could exacerbate problem gambling in Australia. The Government is also mindful
of the need not to place undue burdens on Australia’s communications
industries. It hence seeks a strategy for restricting Australian’s access
to interactive gambling while balancing the interests of the information
economy.
OPTIONS
Three options can be identified in
considering a ban on interactive gambling in Australia:
1. maintaining the status quo by not implementing any sort of ban or restriction;
2. legislating a targeted ban designed to protect Australian consumers while
limiting impact on the interactive gambling industry and ISPs;
or
3. legislating a comprehensive ban on interactive gambling in Australia
that completely eliminates the Australian interactive gambling industry and
includes mandatory blocking by ISPs.
The first option would allow
State and Territory licensing regimes for interactive gambling to operate
without Commonwealth intervention. These regimes incorporate harm minimisation
measures for interactive gambling, and interact with a developing national
approach to interactive gambling regulation. This would also occur in the
context of existing initiatives on problem gambling under the strategic
framework agreed by COAG and referred for implementation to the Ministerial
Council on Gambling.
The second option involves the legislation of
a ban on the provision of interactive gambling services to persons physically
located in Australia by IGSPs with a link to Australia, as well as a
complaints-based regime that allows for the filtering of foreign-based IGSPs by
Australian Internet users, comparable with existing arrangements for Internet
content. The COAG and Ministerial Council initiatives on problem gambling would
also apply, as would the harm minimisation measures implemented by States and
Territories in the case of Australian-based interactive gambling services
provided to overseas customers. This option would not restrict the export of
interactive gambling services by Australian IGSPs.
The third option
would be a comprehensive banning strategy that would seek to prohibit the
domestic industry entirely, as well as implement content blocking at the ISP
level in order to restrict Australians’ access to offshore IGSPs.
Ministerial Council initiatives for problem gambling would continue to apply,
but State and Territory interactive gambling regulation would appear to be
superseded under this option.
IMPACT ANALYSIS
Impact
group identification
Affected groups would be:
• IGSPs;
• interactive gambling consumers and, in particular, problem gamblers;
• State and Territory Governments;
• the Commonwealth Government;
• welfare and problem gambling agencies;
• communications industries (particularly ISPs); and
• the
Australian economy as a whole.
Option 1: Status Quo
The
Commonwealth could opt to take no action in relation to a ban on interactive
gambling, other than existing program initiatives in the context of the
Ministerial Council on Gambling.
Interactive gambling
industry
Doing nothing is unlikely to slow the growth of this
industry in Australia and the accessibility of gambling services online. The
licensing and regulatory regime established by the States and Territories
appears to promote the growth of the Australian interactive gambling in a global
market. The offshore interactive gambling industry will also continue to have
full access to the Australian market.
Interactive gambling
consumers and problem gamblers
If the Commonwealth does not take
action to restrict Australians’ access to interactive gambling services, a
range of Australian-based IGSPs and offshore sites will continue to be
available. Given that Australian States and Territories have already issued a
number of interactive gambling licences, it is reasonable to expect that
interactive gambling consumers will have access to an increasing choice of
domestic providers.
Under this option, potential problem gambling arising
from interactive gambling will be unchecked. Ministerial Council initiative will
provide some protection in terms of problem gambling programs. Because
interactive gambling may appeal to new types of gamblers, it is possible that
the types of problems encountered by problem gamblers would also be new and
different.
State and Territory
Governments
Under the status quo option, State and Territory
Governments will be able to continue to license new interactive gambling service
providers. This will enable the licensing authorities to continue to collect
fees and will provide ongoing opportunities to generate revenue.
However,
an economic study commissioned by NOIE points out that interactive gambling is
subject to concessional tax regimes and tax competition between States and
Territories. State and Territory revenues may thus be limited by the growth of
the interactive gambling industry in relation to other entertainment or
comparable industries taxed at normal rates.
Commonwealth
Government
There is no direct financial impact on the
Commonwealth under the status quo. The Commonwealth has agreed in principle to
jointly fund initiatives agreed at the COAG meeting of November 2000, but these
relate to all gambling rather than just interactive gambling.
An indirect
impact may stem from a greater demand for Commonwealth social services resulting
from problem gambling associate with interactive gambling services that would
otherwise have been restricted.
Welfare and problem gambling
agencies
There is a reasonable expectation that problem gambling
and the demand for problem gambling support services in Australia will continue
to grow if the Commonwealth does nothing to restrict Australian’s access
to interactive gambling services. Moreover, because interactive gambling may
attract new players, there is a chance that problem gambling support agencies
may need to adapt to deal with growing numbers of problem interactive
gamblers.
Communications industries
Under the
status quo, no obligations are imposed on ISPs or other sectors of the
communications industry by the Commonwealth to take any measures to restrict
access to interactive gambling services.
The Australian economy
as a whole
Under the status quo option, the Australian economy as
a whole would not benefit from any measures that might limit problem
gamblers’ requirements for social services. The Australian interactive
gambling industry would remain a moderate earner of export revenue, as well as a
moderate source of revenue for States and Territories. However, economic
modelling suggests that this option may not maximise such
benefits.
Option 2: A Targeted Ban
The Commonwealth
could ban the provision of interactive gambling services by Australian operators
to users in Australia. It could also give Australian users the capacity to
filter out these services from offshore providers.
Interactive
gambling industry
A distinction needs to be made between gaming,
wagering and lotteries as different types of gambling in assessing the impact of
the proposed legislation on the interactive gambling industry.
Imposing
such a ban is likely to have a moderate effect on the Australian-based
interactive gaming industry and its employees. This is because the interactive
gaming industry in Australia is primarily focused on offshore markets. For
example, only about 5% of Lasseters Online players are Australian, and only a
subset of these play for money. Australian users make up only a tiny proportion
of interactive gaming providers’ clientele, and this pattern is likely to
be followed by new entrants into the market. This option would hence not
significantly limit the capacity of Australian interactive gaming providers from
competing in a global market.
Interactive wagering and lotteries are
different. The market for some of these services is primarily domestic. The
restriction of interactive wagering and lottery services may therefore have
significant negative commercial consequences for segments of the industry that
are focused on a domestic market.
The legislation would not limit or
restrict in any way the capacity of State and Territory Governments to renew
existing interactive gambling licences or approvals, or to issue further
licences or approvals. The primary regulatory hurdle for new Australian entrants
into the international interactive gambling market is obtaining authority from
the relevant State or Territory Government.
State and Territory
Governments
Research commissioned by NOIE suggests that a ban on
the provision of interactive gambling services by Australian operators to
Australians may have a moderately beneficial aggregate impact on State and
Territory revenues. This is because the interactive gambling industry is
currently subject to taxation incentives and taxation competition between States
and Territories. The consultant’s proposition is that a restriction on
Australians’ access to this industry would result in increased patronage
of entertainment activities that are taxed at a higher rate than interactive
gambling, with a corresponding increase in State and Territory
revenue.
Commonwealth Government
The cost of the
Government’s monitoring role under the legislation has been estimated at
around $1.5m in 2001-02 for start up, and then $0.75m for each of the forward
years. These costs should be absorbed.
There may be a reduction in demand
for Commonwealth social services that would have been required as a consequence
of problem gambling associated with prohibited interactive gambling
services.
Interactive gambling consumers and problem
gamblers
A restriction on the range of interactive gambling
services available to consumers would reduce consumer choice. However,
consumers, and in particular problem gamblers, would have some protection from
interactive gambling services, which, in the Government’s view, have the
potential to exacerbate problem gambling.
Welfare and problem
gambling agencies
Pressure on welfare and problem gambling
agencies would potentially be reduced by a restriction on Australians’
access to interactive gambling services.
Communications
industries
Under a targeted ban, the ISP industry would have the
option of contributing to the development of a code by a representative industry
body that would provide for approved content filters to be made available to
Australian Internet users. In this regard, the legislation is modelled on the
online content scheme implemented in 1999 by Schedule 5 of the Broadcasting
Services Act 1992. Under Schedule 5, the Internet Industry Association (IIA)
registered a code with the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA). The code
provided for the industry to respond to community complaints against content
that had been upheld by the ABA by notifying the manufacturers of approved
filters about the offending sites. It also provided for ISPs to furnish their
users with information about the online content scheme and access to approved
filtering software. In practice, the obligations of an ISP are discharged by
providing hyperlinks to information on the ABA website and the websites of
approved filter providers. This regulatory impact could be described as
minimal.
The fact that the current legislation is modelled on the online
content scheme also means that setup and compliance costs for the industry would
be marginal in nature.
There would also be no impact on general Internet
performance. The installation of filtering software on end users’
computers is entirely voluntary on the part of the user. Even where a user
chooses to install the software, the effect would be so small as to be difficult
to measure, and would only affect that user’s computer, and not general
Internet performance. The speed of a user’s computer processor and
Internet connection are far more significant factors in determining the
performance of the Internet from the perspective of that user.
The
installation of filtering technology at any level of the Internet hierarchy
would not be mandated under this option. The mandating of such technologies
would have a deleterious effect on general Internet performance, either by
slowing down data transfer speeds, or by unintentionally blocking access to
legitimate online services.
There is also evidence that the interactive
gambling industry contributes to the development of Australia’s
information industries. Spin-off benefits in the form of expertise and
infrastructure would continue to accrue in some degree under this
option.
The Australian economy as a
whole
Economic modelling suggests that there is likely to be no
benefit to national economic welfare from including exports in a ban on
interactive gambling. This is because exports of interactive gambling do not
impose any domestic social costs. Hence, under the criterion of maximising
national economic welfare, if interactive gambling is to be banned, the ban
should cover interactive gambling supplied to people located in Australia, but
not people outside Australia.
This modelling also suggests that the
economic benefit derived from a ban does not differ dramatically between a
partial ban and a comprehensive ban.
Option 3: A Comprehensive
Ban
Under the third option, a banning strategy would be
comprehensively applied to both domestic and foreign IGSPs. This would involve
complete prohibition of Australian IGSPs, regardless of whether they provide
gambling services to Australians or offshore residents, as well as an aggressive
strategy to prevent Australians’ access to offshore interactive gambling
services via blocking measures at the ISP level.
Interactive
gambling industry
The domestic interactive gambling industry
would be eliminated by this option. A substantial reduction in employment in the
gambling industry would result.
State and Territory
Governments
As is the case with a targeted ban, a comprehensive
ban may have a moderately beneficial impact on State and Territory revenues,
according to economic research commissioned for the study into the feasibility
and consequences of banning interactive gambling. This is because a restriction
on the interactive gambling industry would be likely to result in increased
patronage of entertainment activities that are taxed at a higher rate than
interactive gambling.
Commonwealth Government
A
comprehensive ban would require considerably greater resources than those
estimated in relation to option 2 for both administration of a content
regulation scheme and police enforcement of offences. There is no precise
estimate.
There may be a reduction in demand for Commonwealth social
services that would have been required as a consequence of problem gambling
associated with prohibited interactive gambling
services.
Interactive gambling consumers and problem
gamblers
Consumers’ choice would be restricted, with a
corresponding diminution in the value of the interactive gambling industry as a
whole. However, there would also be protection from the possible harmful social
effects of interactive gambling.
Welfare and problem gambling
services
Welfare and problem gambling support services would
benefit by not having to provide increasing levels of service to those impacted
by problem gambling related to interactive
gambling.
Communications industries
A
comprehensive ban would involve the mandatory installation of content blocking
technologies by ISPs. There are several technical methods that could potentially
be used, but all can degrade general Internet performance, and none would be
100% effective in preventing Australians’ access to interactive gambling
services. Such a strategy would involve significant industry-wide costs, ranging
from $200,000 to $6 million for implementation, and $200,000 to $2.6 million
annually (rising uncapped) for maintenance. Inferior Internet performance would
have flow-on effects for the entire information economy in
Australia.
The Australian economy as a
whole
Like a targeted ban, economic modelling suggests that a
comprehensive ban could have moderate benefits for the Australian economy as a
whole. However, these benefits are somewhat limited compared to a targeted ban
because of the limitation on consumer choice and the corresponding dip in the
value of the interactive gambling industry. The decrease in export revenue
resulting from the restriction on exports of interactive gambling services would
also deprive the Australian economy of some benefit.
CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDED OPTION
The recommended option:
• focuses a ban to the provision of service by Australian operators to Australians;
• does not restrict the capacity of Australian IGSPs to compete in the international market;
• may have moderate benefits for State and Territory revenues and the
economy as a whole, according to one economic model; and
• would have a
minimal impact on the Internet service industry.
The option would be
complemented by initiatives underway in the context of the Ministerial Council
on Gambling to deal with problem gambling.
This is preferable to the
maintenance of the status quo, which may exacerbate problem gambling through an
increase in access to gambling services. It is also preferable to a
comprehensive ban, which would impose unreasonable obligations on ISPs and would
completely eliminate the interactive gambling industry in
Australia.
OTHER ISSUES
Restriction on
competition
The recommended option does not restrict the
potential of the Australian interactive gambling industry to compete in an
international market. It restricts the access of offshore providers to the
Australian market, but only to the extent that Australian users choose to take
advantage of the complaints-based content regime to filter these services from
their systems.
Effects on small business
IGSPs
that are small businesses may have to modify their services to comply with the
recommended strategy. Specifically, such small businesses may have to take steps
to restrict Australians’ access to interactive gambling services. However,
small IGSPs would continue to have access to the international
market.
ISPs that are small businesses may have to contribute to the
development of an industry code to provide for user-level filtering of offshore
services identified under the complaints-based regime. They would also need to
ensure that such filtering software is made available to Australian users. These
compliance costs would be minimal since this is largely commensurate with
provisions already made under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 for
Internet content regulation.
Effects on regional Australian
jobs
The recommended option would have some impact on employment
in regional Australia, to the extent that elements of the interactive gambling
industry most severely impacted by the restrictions may be located in regional
Australia. These include interactive wagering and lottery providers. Jobs in the
interactive gaming and Internet service industries in regional Australia will
experience a more moderate impact.
Trade Impact
Analysis
Given the global market for interactive gambling services is
largely untapped, the Australian interactive gambling industry has the potential
to generate export revenue. The Australian industry is relatively new and small.
As at early June 2000 there were approximately 15 providers operating. States
and Territories had issued 25 interactive gambling licences. Evidence provided
to the Senate Select Committee on Information Technologies’ 1999 inquiry
into Internet gambling indicates that, although new, a number of providers have
had rapid growth and are generating export revenue. The recommended option will
not prevent existing and prospective IGSPs from competing internationally for
business.
CONSULTATION
In the course of completing the
study into the feasibility and consequences of banning interactive gambling, the
Government undertook wide industry and community consultation,
including:
• a round of written public submissions in July and August 2000, during which 59 submissions were received;
• an interactive gambling forum hosted by NOIE in Melbourne in October
2000, attended by representatives from the interactive gambling industry,
community groups and academia; and
• a telephone survey of community
attitudes commissioned by FaCS.
The Government also accepted numerous
written and oral representations from industry and community bodies on the topic
of a ban on interactive gambling during the moratorium period, and commissioned
expert studies on the economic and technical impacts of a possible
ban.
The recommended option has been developed to respond to strong
community concern about the potential of interactive gambling to exacerbate
problem gambling, in a way that balances the concerns of the interactive
gambling industry and communications industries. Views expressed in consultation
have been incorporated into the recommended option in the following
ways:
1. It responds to community concern about interactive gambling by restricting
Australian’s access to these services. Submissions from individuals and
community groups, as well as the survey of community attitudes commissioned by
FaCS, indicated a high level of community support for strong restrictions on
access to such services. The Interchurch Gambling Task Force, the Salvation
Army, the Wesley Community Legal Service, as well as two-thirds of the
respondents to the community survey, are among those who voiced concern in this
respect.
2. It avoids mandatory online content blocking at the ISP level. The
submission from the ISP industry peak body, the Internet Industry Association,
as well as the technical study commissioned by NOIE, indicated that mandatory
filtering could have a negative impact on Internet performance and would be
easily circumvented by determined users.
Implementation and review
A phase-in period between passage of the legislation and
commencement will give IGSPs time to upgrade their systems to be compliant with
the requirement that interactive gambling services should not be provided to
Australians. ISPs will have additional time to prepare an industry code to
provide for filtering options for Australian users.
The scheme could be
reviewed six months subsequent to the completion of the implementation period,
in the same way that the online content scheme has been reviewed.
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations are used in this explanatory
memorandum:
ABA: Australian Broadcasting Authority
Bill: Interactive Gambling Bill 2001
BSA: Broadcasting
Services Act 1992
Radiocommunications Act: Radiocommunications Act
1992
Telecommunications Act: Telecommunications Act
1997
NOTES ON CLAUSES
Part
1––Introduction
Clause 1 – Short
title
Clause 1 provides that the Bill, when enacted, may be cited as
the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
Clause 2 –
Commencement
Clause 2 provides for a staged commencement of the Bill.
Part 2 of the Bill (which relates to the offence of providing an
Australian-based interactive gambling service to customers in Australia) will
commence on the 28th day after the day on which the Bill receives the
Royal Assent. This will provide industry with additional lead time to put
appropriate arrangements in place to avoid contravening the Bill.
Part 3,
sections 42, 43, 48, 49 and Part 5 of the Bill will commence on a date to be
proclaimed, or six months after the day on which the Bill receives the Royal
Assent, whichever is the earlier. These provisions relate to the complaints
system for prohibited Internet gambling content, the compliance with industry
codes and standards and online provider rules. This later commencement date
will enable the industry and the ABA to develop industry codes or standards and
ensure that Internet service providers are not subject to offences relating to
non-compliance with codes and standards prior to such codes or standards being
developed. The later commencement date takes into account the timeframes
required to develop codes and standards due to minimum periods for public
consultation on draft codes and standards provided for in the Bill.
The
remaining provisions within the Bill commence on the day on which it receives
the Royal Assent. This includes Part 4 (except sections 42, 43, 48 and 49),
which relates to industry codes and industry standards. This immediate
commencement will enable industry to start developing a code as soon as the Bill
receives the Royal Assent.
Clause 3 – Simplified outline
Clause 3 sets out a simplified outline of the Bill to assist readers.
Clause 4 – Definitions
Clause 4 sets out the key
definitions used in the Bill. These definitions are discussed below.
ABA
The term ‘ABA’ is defined to mean the Australian Broadcasting
Authority. Under the Bill, complaints about prohibited Internet gambling
content will be able to be made to the ABA. The Bill enables the ABA to
investigate such complaints. If the prohibited Internet gambling content is
hosted in Australia and the ABA considers that the complaint should be referred
to an Australian police force (for example because it may breach the offence in
clause 15 of the Bill), then the ABA must refer it to the police. If the ABA is
satisfied that Internet content hosted outside Australia is prohibited Internet
gambling content, the ABA will be able to notify the content to a law
enforcement agency or take other appropriate action under clause 24 of the
Bill.
Access
The term ‘access’ is defined to have the same meaning as in
Schedule 5 to the BSA (which regulates the publication of illegal and offensive
material on the Internet). This term is used in the definitions of
‘prohibited Internet gambling content’ and ‘Internet carriage
service’.
The definition of the term ‘access’ in
clause 4 is included to avoid doubt and to avoid the term being given an unduly
narrow meaning. ‘Access’ will include access that is subject to a
pre-condition (such as the use of a password), access by way of push technology
(where a customer requests a content provider to provide him or her with online
material on a regular basis, for example, subscription to an Internet
‘channel’) and access by way of a standing request to an Internet
content host to send material stored on the Internet.
Australia
The term ‘Australia’, when used in a geographical sense, is
defined to include the external Territories. These Territories include Norfolk
Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island.
Examples of the use
of the term ‘Australia’ are in clauses 7, 8 and 16 of the
Bill.
Australian-based interactive gambling service
This term
is defined to have the meaning given by proposed section 5. Proposed section 5
provides that for the purposes of the Bill, an Australian-based interactive
gambling service is a gambling service (defined in clause 4) where the
conditions of subparagraphs 5(1)(a) to (c) are satisfied and the service is not
an excluded service.
The term ‘Australian-based interactive
gambling service’ is used in the offence provision in clause 15 of the
Bill.
Australian-customer link
The term ‘Australian-customer link’ is defined to have the
meaning given by proposed section 8. For the purposes of the Bill, a gambling
service (discussed below) will have an Australian-customer link if, and only if,
any or all of the customers of the service are physically present in
Australia.
An Australian-customer link is one of the key elements of the definition of a
‘prohibited Internet gambling service’ in clause 6 of the Bill. It
is also used in the offence provision in clause 15 of the Bill.
Australian police force
The term ‘Australian police force’ is defined to mean the
Australian Federal Police, or the police force of a State or Territory. The ABA
may refer a complaint to a member of the Australian police force if the ABA
considers that the complaint should be referred to the police. In addition ABA
may notify the police of Internet content hosted outside Australia if the ABA is
satisfied that it is prohibited Internet gambling content under proposed section
24.
Australian-provider link
The term ‘Australian-provider link’ is defined to have the
meaning given by proposed section 7. For the purposes of the Bill, a gambling
service (discussed below) will have an Australian-provider link if, and only
if:
(a) the service is provided in the course of carrying on a business
in Australia; or
(b) the central management and control of the service is
in Australia; or
(c) the service is provided through an agent in
Australia; or
(d) the service is provided to customers using an Internet carriage service
and any or all of the relevant Internet content is hosted in
Australia.
One or more of these conditions are all that is required to
establish an Australian-provider link. An Australian provider who satisfies one
or more of these conditions will have the relevant Australian-provider link.
Residency or citizenship issues are not relevant in relation to whether one of
the above conditions is satisfied.
An Australian-provider link is one of
the key elements of the definition of an ‘Australian-based interactive
gambling service’ in clause 5 of the Bill.
Bet
The term ‘bet’ is defined in clause 4 to include a wager. A
bet in a pool-betting scheme such as the TAB or Tattslotto is a
‘bet’ for the purposes of the Bill.
Broadcasting service
This term is defined to mean a
broadcasting service (as defined by the BSA) provided in Australia. The term is
used in paragraph 5(1)(b) of the definition of an ‘Australian-based
interactive gambling service’.
Section 6 of the BSA defines ‘broadcasting service’ broadly to
mean a service that delivers television programs or radio programs to persons
having equipment appropriate for receiving that service, whether the delivery
uses the radiofrequency spectrum, cable, optical fibre, satellite or any other
means or a combination of those means, but does not include:
(a) a
service (including a teletext service) that provides no more than data, and no
more than text (with or without associated still images); or
(b) a
service that makes programs available on demand on a point-to-point basis,
including a dial-up service; or
(c) a service, or a class of services,
that the Minister determines, by notice in the Commonwealth Gazette, not
to fall within this definition.
The explanatory memorandum to the BSA states that the exclusion in paragraph
(b) of the definition of ‘broadcasting service’ encompasses those
services which allow a person to receive or access a program at a time
determined by the person making a request. That is, where the scheduling of the
program is determined by the service provider, the service is not a
‘point-to-point’ service.
‘Program’, in relation
to a broadcasting service, is defined to mean:
(a) matter the primary
purpose of which is to entertain, to educate or to inform an audience;
or
(b) advertising or sponsorship matter, whether or not of a commercial
kind.
Business
The term ‘business’ is defined in clause 4 to
include a venture or concern in trade or commerce, whether or not conducted on a
regular, repetitive or continuous basis. This definition has been included to
make it clear that a person would be providing a service in the course of
carrying on a business for the purposes of the Bill even if the person conducted
a one-off or irregular commercial activity.
The definition also provides that to avoid doubt, the fact that a club or
association provides services to its members does not prevent these services
from being services provided in the course of carrying on a business. This is
included to remove any possible doubt that if a club or association were to
provide an interactive gambling service to its members, it could be considered
to be carrying on a business for the purposes of this
Bill.
The term ‘business’ is used
in clauses 6 and 7 of the Bill and in paragraph 5(1)(a) of the definition of an
‘Australian-based interactive gambling service’. Paragraph 5(1)(a)
provides that one of the conditions that needs to be satisfied before a gambling
service (as defined in clause 4) can be an Australian-based interactive gambling
service for the purposes of the Bill is that the service is provided in the
course of carrying on a business.
The settled legal meaning of ‘carrying on a business’ is to conduct some form of commercial enterprise, systematically or regularly, with a view to a profit: Hyde v Sullivan [1956] SR (NSW) 113. The definition of ‘business’ in clause 4 varies the ordinary meaning of ‘business’ so that it is clear that, for the purposes of the Bill, a one-off or irregular gambling service that satisfies the definition of a gambling service, is provided using a communications service specified in paragraph 5(1)(b), and has an Australian-provider link would be an Australian-based interactive gambling service unless the service is an excluded service under subclause 5(3).
A commercial enterprise that provides a service with a view to a profit is
clearly providing a service in the course of carrying on a business. However an
in-house electronic raffle run by a staff member of a commercial enterprise to
raise money for a charity would not be a service provided in the course of
carrying on a business, even though it takes place within a commercial
enterprise. The motive in this example is not for profit.
In contrast, a
not-for-profit body, such as a religious, community or sporting association
would generally not be regarded to be providing a service in the course of
carrying on a business because, in carrying on its activities, such an
association does not exist for the purpose of making a profit. However, the
relevant consideration for a Court in assessing whether a service is provided in
the course of carrying on a business would be the nature of the particular
activity and the profit motive. For example a not-for-profit amateur sporting
association that runs an electronic lottery once or twice a year as a
fund-raising activity would not generally be regarded as providing that service
in the course of carrying on a business due to the absence of the profit
motive.
Business day
The term ‘business day’ is defined in clause 4 to mean a day
that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in the place concerned.
This term is used in clause 28 of the Bill, which relates to compliance with
access-prevention notices.
Chapter 8 agreement
The term ‘Chapter 8 agreement’ is defined in clause 4 to have
the same meaning as in the Corporations Law. This term is used in clause 9 of
the Bill which relates to contracts which are exempt under the Corporations Law.
Under clause 5 and clause 6 of the Bill services which relate to contracts that
under the Corporations Law are exempt from a law relating to gaming or wagering
are specifically excluded from the meaning of an ‘Australian-based
interactive gambling service’ and a ‘prohibited Internet gambling
service’ for the purposes of the Bill. Clause 9 of the Bill sets out the
meaning of contracts that under the Corporations Law are exempt from a law
relating to gaming and wagering for the purposes of the Bill. It includes
Chapter 8 agreements covered by subsection 1141(2) of the Corporations Law ie
deliverable bond contracts and futures options over such contracts (see
regulations 1.2.13 and 1.2.18 of the Corporations Regulations).
Civil proceeding
The term ‘civil proceeding’ is defined in clause 4 to include
a civil action. This term is used in Part 6 of the Bill which provides
protection from civil proceedings for Internet service providers in specified
circumstances.
Content service
The term ‘content service’ is defined in clause 4 to mean a
content service (as defined by the Telecommunications Act) provided using a
listed carriage service (discussed below). This term is used in clause 5 of the
Bill.
Section 15 of the Telecommunications Act defines a ‘content
service’ as:
• a broadcasting service (as defined in the BSA, see above);
• an on-line service (including those for information and entertainment); and
• a service specified in a determination made by the
Minister.
Subsection 15(2) of the Telecommunications Act allows the Minister
to make a determination specifying a kind of service to be a content service.
This gives the flexibility to specifically include particular kinds of services
as content services if doubts arise about their status. Such a determination is
a disallowable instrument.
A listed carriage service is defined in section 16 of the Telecommunications
Act and is intended to include a service for the carriage of Internet
communications.
Section 16 of the Telecommunications Act defines a
‘listed carriage service’ as:
• a carriage service
between a point in Australia and one or more other points in
Australia;
• a carriage service between a point in Australia and
one or more other points, at least one of which is outside Australia;
and
• a carriage service between a point outside Australia and one
or more other points, at least one of which is in Australia.
Subsection
16(2) of the Telecommunications Act provides that a ‘point’ includes
a mobile or potentially mobile point, whether on land, underground, in the
atmosphere, in outer space, at sea or anywhere else. This would include, for
example, points on vehicles, aircraft and ships.
Subsection 16(3) of the
Telecommunications Act makes it clear that a point in the atmosphere, in or
below the stratosphere and above Australia is taken to be in Australia.
Accordingly, a point on an aircraft above Australia is taken to be a point in
Australia for the purpose of this clause.
Subsection 16(4) of the
Telecommunications Act provides that a point on a satellite that is above the
stratosphere is taken to be a point outside Australia.
A carriage service
is defined in section 7 of the Telecommunications Act to mean a service for
carrying communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic
energy. The reference to the carriage of communications by means of
‘guided electromagnetic energy’ includes the carriage of
communications by means of a wire, cable, waveguide or other physical medium
used, or for use, as a continuous artificial guide for or in connection with the
carrying of the communication. The reference to the carriage of communications
by means of ‘unguided electromagnetic energy’ includes
communications by means of radiocommunication.
Datacasting licence
This term is defined to have the same meaning as in the BSA ie. a licence
under Schedule 6 to the BSA to provide a datacasting service.
The term is
used in the definition of ‘datacasting service’.
Datacasting service
This term is defined to mean a datacasting service within the meaning of
the BSA that is provided in Australia under a datacasting licence. The term is
used in paragraph 5(1)(b) of the definition of an ‘Australian-based
interactive gambling service’.
The BSA definition provides that a
datacasting service is a service that delivers content in any form (eg. text,
data, sound including speech or music, still or animated (ie. moving) images
etc) to persons having equipment appropriate for receiving that content, where
the delivery of the service uses the broadcasting services bands. The
broadcasting services bands is that part of the radiofrequency spectrum that is
designated under section 31 of the Radiocommunications Act as being primarily
for broadcasting purposes and is assigned by the Minister under that Act to the
ABA for planning.
Designated Internet gambling matter
This term is defined to have the meaning given by clause 35 of the Bill.
Clause 35 of the Bill provides that the formulation of a designated notification
scheme (defined in clause 4) and procedures to be followed by Internet service
providers in dealing with Internet content notified under paragraph 24(1)(b) or
proposed section 26 are designated Internet gambling matters for the purposes of
the Bill. Designated Internet gambling matters are the subject of industry
codes and standards developed or determined under Part 4 of the Bill.
Designated notification scheme
A designated notification scheme is a scheme in the nature of a scheme
for substituted service of notices under which the ABA is taken, for the
purposes of the Bill, to have notified each Internet service provider of a
matter or thing. Such a scheme may, for example, deem a provider to have been
notified of a notice that is published in a national newspaper or that is
published by some other means (such as on a website, with or without security
measures) without the need to physically serve the notice on the
provider.
A designated notification scheme applies only in relation to
prohibited Internet gambling content hosted outside Australia. The term is
referred to in clause 24, which refers to action to be taken in relation to a
complaint about prohibited Internet gambling content hosted outside Australia.
Clause 31 (dealing with the deemed issuing of access-prevention notices) also
refers to a scheme in the nature of a scheme for substituted service.
Engage in conduct
This term is defined in clause 4 to mean to do an act or to omit to
perform an act. This definition is consistent with the definition of conduct in
the Criminal Code which covers both acts and omissions (see subsection
4.1(2) of the Code). This term is used in clauses 55, 56(4) and
63 of the Bill. The inclusion of a definition of ‘engage in
conduct’ ensures that these offences, relating to contravention of an
online provider rule and contravention of a remedial direction relating to a
breach of an online provider rule, cover both acts and omissions. For example
an offence of contravening a direction from the ABA to take specified action may
be committed if a person omits to perform an act, such as omitting to implement
effective administrative systems for monitoring compliance with an online
provider rule.
Exempt service
This term is defined to have the meaning given by proposed section 10.
Proposed section 10 enables the Minister to determine that each service included
in a specified class of services is an exempt service for the purposes of the
Bill.
If the Minister makes such a determination, the service will not be
an Australian-based interactive gambling service nor a prohibited Internet
gambling service (see subclauses 5(3) and 6(3)).
Federal Court
This term is defined to mean the Federal Court of Australia. This term
is used in clause 59 of the Bill. Under this clause the ABA may
apply to the Federal Court for an order that a person cease supplying Internet
carriage services where the person (an Internet service provider) is supplying
the Internet carriage service otherwise than in accordance with an online
provider rule (defined in clause 4).
Futures contract
The term ‘futures contract’ is defined in clause 4 to have
the same meaning as in the Corporations Law. This term is used in clause 9 of
the Bill which relates to contracts which are exempt under the Corporations Law.
Under clause 5 and clause 6 of the Bill a service which relates to contracts
that under the Corporations Law are exempt from a law relating to gaming or
wagering is specifically excluded from the meaning of an Australian-based
interactive gambling service and a prohibited Internet gambling service. Clause
9 of the Bill sets out the meaning of contracts that under the Corporations Law
are exempt from a law relating to gaming or wagering for the purposes of the
Bill. It includes futures contracts covered by subsection 1141(1) of the
Corporations Law ie futures contracts entered into on a futures exchange or
exempt futures market as defined by the Corporations Law.
Gambling service
Gambling service is defined in clause 4 to mean:
(a) a service for
the placing, making, receiving or acceptance of bets; or
(b) a service the
sole or dominant purpose of which is to introduce individuals who wish to make
or place bets to individuals who are willing to receive or accept those bets;
or
(c) a service for the conduct of a lottery; or
(d) a service for the
supply of lottery tickets; or
(e) a service for the conduct of a game,
where:
(i) the game is played for money or anything else of value;
and
(ii) the game is a game of chance or of mixed chance and skill;
and
(iii) a customer of the service gives or agrees to give consideration to
play or enter the game; or
(f) a gambling service (within the ordinary
meaning of that expression) that is not covered by any of the above
paragraphs.
Two individuals merely having a bet over the Internet would
not be a gambling service.
The question of what is the sole or dominant
purpose of a service for the purposes of paragraph (b) is a question of fact,
which would be determined by a Court in the event of legal proceedings under the
Bill.
A service that merely provides lottery results is not a service for
the conduct of a lottery for the purposes of paragraph (c).
For the
purposes of paragraph (e) a game played for money or anything else of value is a
game played for some kind of prize which is of monetary value. An example of a
game of chance is Roulette. There is no skill involved in a game of Roulette.
An example of a game of mixed chance and skill is Blackjack.
The
reference to a game of mixed chance and skill is not intended to include games
that would generally be regarded to be games of skill even though it could be
argued that the outcome of the game might be affected by chance. For example an
on-line competition on knowledge of Australian history should be regarded as a
game of skill even though it could be argued that there is an element of chance
in relation to the questions that are asked. Similarly an interactive
television based quiz game which requires competitors to answer general
knowledge questions will not be covered as it does not involve mixed chance and
skill. It should be regarded as a game of skill.
Similarly a network
electronic game like Quake, a game for one or multiple players, should be
regarded as a game of skill even though it could be argued that there is an
element of chance in relation to game play. For example there are elements of
chance in that a player won’t be aware of what another player might do and
yet may act in anticipation of what the other player might do.
Paragraph
(f) is intended to ensure that any gambling service not specifically provided
for in paragraphs (a) – (e) is subject to the Bill.
Guidance as to the ordinary meaning of “gambling” can be
obtained from the Encyclopedia Britannica which defines
“gambling” as “the betting or staking of something of value,
with consciousness of risk and hope of gain, on the outcome of a game, a
contest, or an uncertain event whose result may be determined by chance or
accident or have an unexpected result by reason of the bettor’s
miscalculation.”
A promotion such as the chance to win a trip overseas upon signing up to an
online service is not a gambling service for the purposes of the Bill. A
promotional game or lottery does not involve the betting or staking of something
of value, with consciousness of risk and hope of gain.
A service for
online share trading is not a gambling service
because online share trading involves the acquisition of contractual
rights. As a service for online share trading is not a gambling service
it cannot be a ‘Australian-based interactive gambling
service’ for the purposes of this Bill.
A service that carries a gambling service, such as an Internet carriage service does not itself become a gambling service for the purposes of the Bill merely because the Internet carriage service carries a gambling service. A service that is ancillary to a gambling service such as a billing service for a gambling service is not a gambling service for the purposes of the Bill, and therefore is not an ‘Australian-based interactive gambling service’.
A gambling service is an integral part of the meaning of an
‘Australian-based interactive gambling service’ in clause 5. This
in turn is an integral part of the offence provision in clause 15. Consequently
if a service does not come within the meaning of a gambling service in clause 4,
then it cannot be an Australian-based interactive gambling service and therefore
will not be covered by the offence provision in clause 15 of the Bill.
Game
This term is defined to include an electronic game. The term
‘game’ is used in the definition of ‘gambling
service’.
Industry code
This term is defined
to have the meaning given by proposed section 33. An industry code is a code
that is developed under Part 4 of the Bill by a body or association that
represents Internet service providers. It applies to Internet service providers
and deals exclusively with designated Internet gambling matters (as defined in
clause 4).
Industry standard
This term is defined
to have the meaning given by proposed section 34. An industry standard is a
standard determined by the ABA in the absence of an industry code, or failure of
a Code, which applies to Internet service providers and deals exclusively with
designated Internet gambling matters (as defined in clause
4).
Internet carriage service
This term is defined
to mean a listed carriage service that enables end-users to access the Internet.
A listed carriage service is defined in clause 4. Its meaning is discussed
above in relation to the definition of ‘content service’.
Like the Telecommunications Act and the Telecommunications (Consumer
Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 (see, for example, subparagraph
127(a)(iii) of that Act), the term ‘end-user’ is used in the Bill
without being defined. An end-user need not necessarily be a customer of an
Internet service provider.
Internet content
The term ‘Internet content’ is defined to have the same
meaning as in Schedule 5 to the BSA. ‘Internet content’ means
information in any form, or in any combination of forms, that makes up a
composite such as pictures and text, such as on a web page, which will typically
include text and pictures that:
• is kept on a data storage device
(separately defined to include a computer disk); and
• is
accessed, or is available for access, using an Internet carriage
service;
but does not include:
• ordinary electronic mail;
or
• information that is transmitted in the form of a broadcasting
service.
The exclusion of ‘ordinary electronic mail’ from the definition of Internet content is intended to make it clear that the exclusion only applies to what an ordinary user of the Internet would regard as being e-mail, and that the exclusion does not apply to other forms of postings of material, such as postings to newsgroups. The term is also intended to minimise the scope for technical arguments about the ‘outer boundaries’ of the term ‘e-mail’ within the Internet community. The definition of ‘ordinary electronic mail’ makes it clear that the term will not include a posting to a newsgroup. These provisions are intended to ensure that personal e-mail is not caught by the definition of ‘Internet content’.
Examples of Internet content include pages on the World Wide Web,
archived mailing list messages, material available for general access from
usenet news groups and information available from databases.
The
definition of ‘Internet content’ will not cover live material such
as chat services or voice over the Internet.
The definition of
‘Internet content’ also excludes information transmitted in the form
of a broadcasting service. This is intended to ensure that where material is
transmitted over the Internet in the form of a broadcasting service under the
BSA (for example audio in the form of a narrowcast radio service), it will be
treated as a broadcasting service subject to the rules applying to such services
and not as Internet content subject to regulation under the Bill.
Internet service provider
This term is defined to have the same meaning as in Schedule 5 to the BSA.
Part 2 of Schedule 5 to the BSA (clause 8) defines Internet service
providers primarily as persons supplying, or proposing to supply, an Internet
carriage service to the public. Corporate Intranets, for example, are therefore
not generally regarded as Internet service providers. The concept of supply to
the public is dealt with in clause 9 of Schedule 5 to the BSA. The Minister
also has the ability under subclause 8(2) of Schedule 5 to the BSA to declare
that a specified person who supplies, or proposes to supply, a specified
Internet carriage service is an Internet service provider. This is intended
primarily as an anti-avoidance mechanism, but also provides flexibility to deal
with unforeseen consequences.
Listed carriage service
This term is defined to have
the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act. Its meaning is discussed
above in relation to the definition of ‘content
service’.
Lottery
This term is defined to
include an electronic lottery. A service for the conduct of a lottery or a
service for the supply of lottery tickets are services which are included in the
definition of ‘gambling service’ (discussed above).
For clarification, the ordinary meaning of lottery is relevant
in the context of the Bill. The Macquarie Dictionary definition
of lottery is a ‘scheme or arrangement for raising
money....by the sale of a large number of tickets, certain among which, as
determined by chance after the sale, entitle the holders to
prizes’.
An example of a scheme which has previously been generally
touted as a lottery, but is not a lottery for the purposes of the Bill, because
it is not a ‘lottery’ within the ordinary meaning of the term
‘lottery’, is the Sydney Olympic Ticket Lottery. In this
‘lottery’ people paid for tickets to the Olympics when they put in
an application for a specific number of tickets to specific events (or
alternative events) and if not successful, their money was refunded. In a
lottery within the meaning of the term in the Bill, money is not refunded to a
person who is unsuccessful.
Online provider rule
This term is defined to have
the meaning given by proposed section 54. Proposed section 54 provides that
several rules are online provider rules for the purposes of the Bill. They
are:
• the rules which require an Internet service provider to comply
with a standard access-prevention notice or a special access-prevention notice
(see subclauses 28(1) and (2));
• the rule which requires an Internet
service provider that has contravened, or is contravening, a registered industry
code to comply with an ABA direction to comply with the code (see subclause
42(2));
• the rule which requires an Internet service provider to
comply with a relevant registered industry standard (clause
48).
Sanctions are provided where a person contravenes an online provider
rule (see clauses 55 and 59).
Option contract
The term ‘option contract’ is defined in clause 4 to have the
same meaning as in Chapter 7 of the Corporations Law. This term is used in
clause 9 of the Bill which relates to contracts which are exempt under the
Corporations Law. Under clause 5 and clause 6 of the Bill a service which
relates to contracts that under the Corporations Law are exempt from a law
relating to gaming or wagering is specifically excluded from the meaning of an
‘Australian-based interactive gambling service’ and a
‘prohibited Internet gambling service’. Clause 9 of
the Bill sets out the meaning of contracts that under the Corporations Law are
exempt from a law relating to gaming or wagering for the purposes of the Bill.
It includes option contracts covered by subsection 778(1) of the Corporations
Law ie option contracts entered into on a stock exchange or an exempt stock
market as defined by the Corporations Law.
Prohibited Internet gambling content
This term is defined in clause 4 to mean Internet content that is
accessed, or available for access, by an end-user in the capacity of customer of
a prohibited Internet gambling service (see meaning below).
This term is
used in the context of the complaints system in the Bill. Australians are able
to complain to the ABA if they believe that Australian customers can access
prohibited Internet gambling content over the Internet (clause 16). If the
Internet content is hosted in Australia the ABA must refer the complaint to the
police if they consider it appropriate. If the Internet content is hosted
outside Australia the ABA may refer it to a law enforcement agency if
appropriate and notify the content to the Internet service provider so that the
Internet service provider can deal with the content in accordance with
procedures specified in an industry code or standard. The term is not used in
the context of the offence provision in clause 15 of the Bill.
The term
‘prohibited Internet gambling content’ will not catch information
provided by third party information providers (such as an Internet site
providing information about the progress of a cricket match but no opportunity
to bet on that match).
Prohibited Internet gambling service
This term is defined to have the meaning given by clause 6 of the Bill.
A prohibited Internet gambling service is a gambling service (as defined in
clause 4 of the Bill) that satisfies the conditions in paragraphs 6(1)(a) to (c)
of the Bill and is not an excluded service as defined by subclause 6(3) of the
Bill.
The term is an integral part of the definition of prohibited
Internet gambling content (see above) which is used in the context of the
complaints system in the Bill. It is not used in the context of the offence
provision in clause 15 of the Bill.
Relevant agreement
The term ‘relevant agreement’ is defined in clause 4 to have the
same meaning as in the Corporations Law. This term is used in clause 9 of the
Bill which relates to contracts which are exempt under the Corporations Law.
Under clause 5 and clause 6 of the Bill services which relate to contracts that
under the Corporations Law are exempt from a law relating to gaming or wagering
are specifically excluded from the meaning of an Australian-based interactive
gambling service and a prohibited Internet gambling service. Clause 9
of the Bill sets out the meaning of contracts that under the
Corporations Law are exempt from a law relating to gaming or wagering for the
purposes of the Bill. It includes relevant agreements covered by subsection
778(2) of the Corporations Law ie share ratio contracts (which involve betting
on the movement of stock exchange indices).
Special access-prevention notice
The term ‘special
access-prevention notice’ is defined to mean a notice under proposed
section 27. It refers to a notice given to an Internet service provider
directing the provider to take all reasonable steps to prevent access to
Internet content that is the same or substantially the same as Internet content
identified in a ‘standard access-prevention notice’ (as defined
below).
Standard access-prevention notice
The term
‘standard access-prevention notice’ is defined to mean a notice
under proposed paragraph 24(1)(c). It refers to a notice given to an Internet
service provider by the ABA directing the provider to take all reasonable steps
to prevent access to prohibited Internet gambling content (as defined in clause
4) hosted outside Australia.
Standard access-prevention notices are
issued by the ABA in the absence of a relevant code or standard dealing with
designated Internet gambling matters.
Standard telephone
service
The term ‘standard telephone service’ is defined in
clause 4 to mean the same as the definition of the term in the
Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999.
The definition of ‘standard telephone service’
includes voice telephony and another form of communication that is
equivalent to voice telephony that would be required to be supplied to the
end-user in order to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act
1992.
This term is used in the definition of ‘telephone betting
service’ in clause 4.
Telephone betting service
The term ‘telephone betting service’ is defined in clause 4
to mean a gambling service (see definition above) provided on the basis that
dealings with customers are wholly by way of voice calls (see definition below)
made using a standard telephone service (see definition above).
Subclause
5(3) of the Bill provides that a telephone betting service is not an
‘Australian-based interactive gambling service’. It is an excluded
service for the purposes of the Bill. Consequently it does not come within the
offence provision in clause 15.
Ticket
The term
‘ticket’ is defined in clause 4 to include an
electronic ticket. This term is used in the definition of ‘gambling
service’ in clause 4 (discussed above).
Voice call
The term ‘voice call’ is defined
in clause 4 to include a call that involves a recorded or synthetic voice or an
equivalent call to a voice call for a person with a disability. The reference
to an equivalent call to a voice call for a person with a disability has been
included to ensure that it is clear that use of the National Relay Service and a
teletypewriter by hearing impaired persons is considered to be a voice call for
the purposes of the definition of ‘voice call’.
This term is used in the definition of ‘telephone betting
service’ in clause 4.
Clause 5 – Australian-based interactive gambling services
Clause 5 defines an ‘Australian-based interactive gambling
service’ for the purposes of the Bill. This term is used in the offence
provision in clause 15 of the Bill. Clause 15 makes it an offence for a person
to intentionally provide an Australian-based interactive gambling service where
the service has an Australian-customer link ie where any of the customers of the
service are physically present in Australia.
Subclause 5(1) provides for
the purposes of the Bill an Australian-based interactive gambling service is a
gambling service where:
(a) the service is provided in the course of
carrying on a business; and
(b) the service is provided to customers
using an Internet carriage service, any other listed carriage service, a
broadcasting service, any other content service or a datacasting service;
and
(c) the service has an Australian-provider link.
The terms
‘gambling service’, ‘business’, ‘Internet carriage
service’, ‘listed carriage service’, ‘broadcasting
service’, ‘content service’, ‘datacasting service’
and ‘Australian-provider link’ are discussed in the commentary on
clause 4.
Subclause 5(2) provides that subclause (1) has effect subject
to subclause (3). Subclause 5(3) provides that various services are not an
Australian-based interactive gambling service for the purposes of the Bill. A
telephone betting service (as defined in clause 4), a service that relates to
certain Corporations Law contracts (as set out in clause 9) and an exempt
service (as provided for in clause 10) are excluded services. This means that
the provision of these services is not covered by the offence provision in
clause 15 of the Bill.
Clause 6 – Prohibited Internet gambling services
Clause 6 defines ‘a prohibited Internet gambling service’ for
the purpose of the Bill. This term is used in the definition of
‘prohibited Internet gambling content’, which is used in the context
of the complaints system in the Bill. It is not relevant to the offence
provision in clause 15 of the Bill.
An example of the use of the term
prohibited Internet gambling content is in clause 16. Clause 16 enables a
person who has reason to believe that end-users in Australia can access
prohibited Internet gambling content using an Internet carriage service to make
a complaint to the ABA about the matter. The action which the ABA takes in
relation to a complaint about prohibited Internet gambling content will depend
upon whether the content is hosted in Australia or outside Australia (see
clauses 20 and 24).
Subclause 6(1) provides that for the purposes of the
Bill a prohibited Internet gambling service is a gambling service
where:
(a) the service is provided in the course of carrying on a
business; and
(b) the service is provided to customers using an Internet
carriage service; and
(c) the service has an Australian-customer
link.
The terms ‘gambling service’, ‘business’,
‘Internet carriage service’ and ‘Australian-customer
link’ are discussed in the commentary on clause 4.
Subclause 6(2)
provides that subclause (1) has effect subject to subclause (3). Subclause 6(3)
provides that a service relating to certain Corporations Law contracts (as set
out in clause 9) and an exempt service (as provided for in clause 10) are
excluded services and are not a prohibited Internet gambling service for the
purposes of the Bill.
Clause 7 – Australian-provider link
Clause 7 provides that for the purposes of the Bill a gambling service
(as defined in clause 4) will have an Australian-provider link if, and only
if:
(a) the service is provided in the course of carrying on a business
in Australia; or
(b) the central management and control of the service is
in Australia; or
(c) the service is provided through an agent in
Australia; or
(d) the service is provided to customers using an Internet carriage service,
and any or all of the relevant Internet content is hosted in
Australia.
One or more of these conditions are all that is required to
establish an Australian-provider link. Residency or citizenship issues are not
relevant in relation to whether one of the above conditions is
satisfied.
An example of the central management and control of a service
being in Australia when a service would be considered to have an
Australian-provider link is that of a company that provides an on-line gambling
service such as a casino which has its web-site maintained in an offshore
jurisdiction and the company executives (or principal company executives) are
based in Australia.
Subclause 7(2) provides that for the purposes of this
clause the relevant Internet content in relation to a gambling service is
Internet content that is accessed or available for access by an end-user in the
capacity of customer of the service.
An Australian-provider link is one
of the key elements of the definition of an ‘Australian-based interactive
gambling service’ in clause 5 of the Bill.
Clause 8 – Australian-customer link
Clause 8 provides that for the purposes of the Bill, a gambling service
(as defined in clause 4) will have an Australian-customer link if, and only if,
any or all of the customers of the service are physically present in
Australia.
A person’s residency or citizenship is not relevant in
establishing an Australian-customer link. It need only be established that a
customer is physically present in Australia, whether on holiday or as a
resident.
An Australian-customer link is one of the key elements of the definition of
‘prohibited Internet gambling services’ in clause 6 of the Bill. It
is also used in the offence provision in clause 15 of the Bill. Under clause
15, a person will be guilty of an offence if the person intentionally provides
an Australian-based interactive gambling service and the service has an
Australian-customer link.
Clause 9 - Contracts exempt under the Corporations Law
Clause 9 sets out the meaning of ‘contracts that, under the
Corporations Law, are exempt from a law relating to gaming or wagering’
for the purposes of the Bill. It refers to option contracts covered by
subsection 778(1) of the Corporations Law, relevant agreements covered by
subsection 778(2) of the Corporations Law, futures contracts covered by
subsection 1141(1) of the Corporations Law, and Chapter 8 agreements covered by
subsection 1141(2) of the Corporations Law.
The terms ‘option
contracts’, ‘relevant agreements’, ‘futures
contracts’ and ‘Chapter 8 agreements’ are discussed in the
commentary on clause 4. These contracts and agreements may, for example,
involve speculation on whether the price of a share may rise or fall or on what
level of a Stock Exchange Index a share may be at a particular time in the
future.
‘Contracts that, under the Corporations Law, are exempt
from a law relating to gaming or wagering’ are referred to in subclause
5(3) and subclause 6(3). Subclause 5(3) provides that for the purposes of the
Bill a service to the extent to which it relates to such contracts is not an
Australian-based interactive gambling service. Similarly subclause 6(3) exempts
such services from the meaning of prohibited Internet gambling services for the
purposes of the Bill. This means that such contracts are not covered by the
offence provision in clause 15 of the Bill or the complaints system in the Bill.
Exempting such services from the operation of the Bill is consistent with the
exemption, under the Corporations Law, from a law relating to gaming or
wagering.
Clause 10 – Exempt services
Clause 10 enables the Minister to determine that each service included in
a specified class of services is an exempt service for the purposes of the Bill.
If the Minister were to make such a determination, the service would not be an
Australian-based interactive gambling service nor a prohibited Internet gambling
service (see subclauses 5(3) and 6(3)).
If the Minister were to make such
a determination it would have effect accordingly (subclause 10(2)).
Any
such determination will be a disallowable instrument for the purposes of section
46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (subclause 10(3)). As such it
will therefore be required to published in the Commonwealth Gazette,
tabled in both Houses of Parliament, and will be subject to Parliamentary
disallowance.
The Ministerial determination power is intended to be used
only in extraordinary circumstances to ensure that the Bill does not apply to
services to which it was never meant to apply. The Ministerial determination
cannot specify that a particular provider is taken not to provide an
Australian-based interactive gambling service or a prohibited Internet gambling
service. The determination must be a general rule of application,
which relates to each service included in a specified class of services.
Clause 11 – Extended meaning of use
Clause 11 is based on section 24 of the Telecommunications Act. It
provides that, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference in the Bill to
the ‘use’ of a thing is a reference to the use of the thing either
in isolation or in conjunction with one or more other things.
An example of a provision of the Bill which uses this term is paragraph
5(1)(b) which refers to an Australian-based interactive gambling service being
provided to customers using an Internet carriage service, any other listed
carriage service, a broadcasting service, any other content service, or a
datacasting service. Clause 11 ensures that it is clear that a customer would
be considered to use an Internet carriage service for example if the customer
uses the Internet carriage service in conjunction with another listed carriage
service.
Clause 12 – Crown to be bound
Subclause 12(1) provides that the Bill binds the Crown in right of the
Commonwealth, and each of the States and Territories.
Subclause 12(2)
provides that the Bill does not make the Crown liable to be prosecuted
for an offence.
Subclause 12(3) provides that the protection in subclause
12(2) does not apply to an authority of the Crown.
Clause 13 – Extension to external Territories
Clause 13 provides that the Bill extends to every external Territory.
The external Territories include Norfolk Island, Christmas Island and Cocos
(Keeling) Islands.
Clause 14 – Extra-territorial application
Clause 14 provides that, unless the contrary intention appears, the Bill
extends to acts, omissions, matters and things outside Australia.
The
Australian-provider link specified in paragraph 5(1)(c) of the Bill is an
example of a contrary intention referred to in clause
14.
Part 2––Offence of providing an
Australian-based interactive gambling service to customers in
Australia
Clause 15 – Offence of providing an
Australian-based interactive gambling service to customers in
Australia
Clause 15 is the principal offence provision in the
Bill.
Subclause 15(1) provides that a person is guilty of an offence if
the person intentionally provides an Australian-based interactive gambling
service (as discussed in clause 5 of the Bill) and the service has an
Australian-customer link (as discussed in clause 8 of the Bill).
The
penalty for the offence is 2,000 penalty units. A penalty unit is currently
$110, so the current maximum penalty is $220,000. Under subsection 4B(3) of the
Crimes Act 1914, if a body corporate is convicted of an offence against a
Commonwealth law, the Court may impose a penalty of up to 5 times the amount of
the maximum penalty that could be imposed on a natural person. As a result, the
current maximum penalty that could be imposed on a corporation is $1.1
million.
Internet Service Providers will not be prosecuted for the offence of
intentionally providing an Australian-based interactive gambling service unless
they themselves are the providers of the content of such a service. The offence
relates specifically to the provision of an Australian-based interactive
gambling service and does not apply to a person who carries the service –
an Internet Service Provider. Similarly, the offence will not result in the
prosecution of any person who provides services ancillary to an Australian-based
interactive gambling service, such as bill payment in relation to such a
service, unless the person is also the provider of the content of such a
service.
Subclause 15(2) provides that a person who contravenes the offence
provision in subclause 15(1) is guilty of a separate offence in respect of each
day (including a day of a conviction for the offence or any later day) during
which the contravention continues. The effect of subclause 15(2) is that the
maximum possible penalty that may be imposed for contravention of the offence in
subclause 15(1) is, for an individual, 2,000 penalty units multiplied by the
number of days during which the contravention continues. If a contravention
continued for 10 days, the current maximum penalty would be $2.2 million. If a
body corporate contravened the offence provision in subclause 15(1) for 10 days,
the maximum penalty would be $11 million.
Subclause 15(3) provides that
subsection (1) does not apply if the person (the provider of an Australian-based
interactive gambling service) did not know and could not, with reasonable
diligence, have ascertained, that the service had an Australian-customer link
(ie. that it was being provided to persons who were physically present in
Australia).
The exception in subclause 15(3) recognises that providers of
Australian-based interactive gambling services will not be able to turn a blind
eye or ignore breaches of the Bill. They will be required to use reasonable
diligence (including reasonable monitoring systems) to ascertain whether the
service is being provided to persons who are physically present in Australia.
In an article by Lisa Guernsey of the New York Times that appeared in
the Sydney Morning Herald on 16 March 2001, it was noted that geolocation
software programs are available to assist in working out the location of
end-users who access the Internet. By conducting real-time analyses of Internet
traffic, these software programs can try to determine the country, the State
and, in limited cases, even the city from which a person is accessing the
Internet. Based on that extrapolated location and with the use of programs such
as keyword filters, the software can then block Web pages from being seen,
essentially putting a tall fence around part of the Web.
In determining
whether the use of geolocation software programs or other monitoring systems
constituted reasonable diligence, regard would need to be had, amongst other
things, to the technical and commercial feasibility of using such programs or
systems.
As explained by the note at the end of subclause 15(3) the effect of the
Criminal Code is that the defendant bears an evidential burden. An evidential
burden requires the defendant to adduce evidence that suggests a real
possibility that the matter exists or does not exist (subsection 13.3 of the
Criminal Code). This means that the defendant must adduce or point to
evidence that suggests they did not know that the service had an
Australian-customer link and could not, with reasonable diligence, have
ascertained that the service had an Australian-customer link. If the defendant
does this then the prosecution would then need to disprove that the defendant
did not know, and could not with reasonable care and diligence have ascertained,
that the service had an Australian-customer link (subsection 13.1(2) of the
Code).
Placing an evidential burden on the defendant is consistent with
the Criminal Code (see subsection 13.3 of the Code).
Part 3––Complaints system: prohibited Internet
gambling content
Division 1––Making of complaints
to the ABA
Clause 16 – Complaints about prohibited Internet
gambling content
If a person (including an Australian Government or
company – see s. 22(1) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901
and clause 19 of the Bill) has reason to believe that end-users in Australia can
access prohibited Internet gambling content using an Internet carriage service
the person will be able to make a complaint to the ABA about the matter
(subclause 16(1)).
Subclause 16(2) sets out the details that must be
included in a complaint. It includes identification of the Internet content,
how to access the Internet content, the name of the country in which the
Internet content is hosted (if known), reasons for believing the Internet
content is prohibited Internet gambling content, and any other information (if
any) required by the ABA.
As a result of clause 23, a complainant who
makes a complaint under Division 1 of Part 3 in good faith will be given
immunity from civil proceedings (such as for defamation or breach of contract)
if another person suffers loss, damage or injury or any kind because of the
making of the complaint.
The action which the ABA must take in relation
to a complaint will depend on whether a complaint relates to Internet content
hosted in Australia or outside Australia (see clauses 20 and
24).
Clause 17 – Complaints about breaches of online provider
rules etc.
Clause 17 provides that if a person has reason to believe
that an Internet service provider has contravened a relevant industry code under
Part 4 of the Bill or has contravened a relevant online provider rule (see
clause 54), including the requirement in clause 48 to comply with a relevant
industry standard, a person will be able to make a complaint to the ABA about
the matter.
Clause 18 – Form of complaint
Clause 18
generally requires a complaint under Division 1 of Part 3 of the Bill (ie about
prohibited Internet gambling content, breaches of online provider rules or
breach of an industry code or standard) to be in writing. The ABA will,
however, be able to permit complaints to be given in accordance with specified
software requirements, by way of a specified kind of electronic
transmission.
Clause 19 – Residency etc. of
complainant
Clause 19 provides that a person will not be entitled to
make a complaint under Division 1 of Part 3 of the Bill unless the person is a
resident of Australia, a body corporate that carries on activities in Australia
or the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.
Division 2––Investigations by the ABA
Clause 20 – Investigation of complaints by the
ABA
The ABA will be required to investigate a complaint under
Division 1 of Part 3 of the Bill unless:
• the complaint relates to
Internet content hosted in Australia; or
• the ABA is satisfied
that the complaint is frivolous, vexatious or not made in good faith;
or
• the ABA has reason to believe that the complaint was made for
the purpose, or for purposes that include the purpose, of frustrating or
undermining the effective administration of Part 3 of the Bill (subclauses 20(3)
and (4)).
If a complaint relates to Internet content hosted in Australia
the ABA must not investigate the complaint. However, the ABA must refer the
complaint to a member of an Australian police force if the ABA considers the
complaint should be so referred (paragraphs 20(3)(a) and (b)). For example, the
ABA may consider that the complaint should be referred to the police if the
complaint suggests that there may be a breach of clause 15 (ie that a person was
providing an Australian-based interactive gambling service to Australian
customers) or if it points to some other fraudulent activity.
The ABA is
not required to carry out an investigation to determine if the subject of a
complaint amounts to a breach of clause 15. Such an investigation would be
properly carried out by the police once the matter had been referred to
them.
Where the ABA has referred a complaint to an Australian police
force, the ABA must give written notice to the complainant stating that the
complaint has been so referred (subparagraph 20(3)(b)(ii)).
The manner in
which Internet content will be able to be notified to the police under paragraph
20(3)(b) will include, but will not be limited to, a manner ascertained in
accordance with an arrangement (such as an MOU) between the ABA and the chief
(however described) of the police force concerned (subclause 20(7)).
If a
complaint is referred to a member of an Australian police force under subclause
20(3) the member may refer the complaint to a member of another Australian
police force (subclause 20(8)).
Clause 20 will not, by implication, limit
the ABA’s powers to refer other matters to a member of the Australian
Federal Police or of a State or Territory police force (subclause
20(9)).
The ABA will be required to notify the complainant of the results
of an investigation (subclause 20(5)).
The ABA will also be able to
terminate an investigation if it is of the opinion that it does not have
sufficient information to conclude the investigation (subclause
20(6)).
Clause 21 – ABA may investigate matters on its
initiative
Clause 21 sets out the matters that the ABA may
investigate if it thinks it desirable to do so.
It provides that the
ABA may investigate:
• whether an Internet service provider is
supplying an Internet carriage service that enables end-users to access
prohibited Internet gambling content hosted outside
Australia;
• whether an Internet service provider has contravened a
relevant industry code;
• whether an Internet service provider has
contravened an online provider rule.
Clause 21 is not intended to
preclude the ABA from actively monitoring content. In addition clause 21
provides a mechanism to allow the ABA to investigate matters where, for example,
information about particular Internet content or conduct of an Internet service
provider is drawn to its attention by a source other than a complaint from the
public. Clause 21 will also improve the ABA’s ability to deal with
avoidance situations.
Clause 22 – Conduct of
investigations
Clause 22 enables the ABA to conduct investigations
under Division 2 of Part 3 of the Bill as it thinks fit.
The ABA will be
able, for the purposes of an investigation, to obtain information from such
persons and make such inquiries as it thinks fit.
Clause 22 will apply in
addition to Part 13 of the BSA which deals with information gathering by the
ABA, including investigation powers and procedures.
Clause 23 –
Protection from civil proceedings
Clause 23 provides an immunity from
civil proceedings (such as proceedings for breach of contract in relation to the
disclosure of a password or proceedings for defamation) for a person who in good
faith makes a complaint under Division 1 of Part 3 of the Bill or who makes a
statement or gives information to the ABA in connection with an investigation
under Division 2 of Part 3.
Division 3––Action to be taken
in relation to a complaint about prohibited Internet gambling content hosted
outside Australia
Clause 24 – Action to be taken in relation
to a complaint about prohibited Internet gambling content hosted outside
Australia
If, in the course of an investigation under Division 2 of
Part 3 of the Bill the ABA is satisfied that Internet content hosted outside
Australia is prohibited Internet gambling content, the ABA will be
required:
• if the ABA considers the content should be referred to
a law enforcement agency (whether in or outside Australia) – notify the
content (see clause 29):
– to a member of the Australian police
force (see clause 4); or
– if there is an arrangement (such as an
MOU) between the ABA and the chief of an Australian police force under which
the ABA is authorised to notify the content to another person or body, whether
in Australia or overseas – to that other person or body;
and
• if an industry code or industry standard under Part 4 deals
exclusively with designated Internet gambling matters (ie. formulation of a
designated notification scheme and procedures which Internet service providers
will follow in dealing with overseas hosted Internet content notified by the ABA
under a designated notification scheme set out in an industry code, see clause
35) – notify the content to Internet service providers under the
designated notification scheme (see clause 4) set out in the code or standard;
and
• if there is no code or standard dealing with the designated
Internet gambling matters – give each Internet service provider known to
the ABA a written notice (known as a standard access-prevention notice)
directing the provider to take all reasonable steps to prevent end-users from
accessing the content (subclause 24(1)).
Clause 31 deals with the
circumstances where the ABA may be deemed to have given a standard
access-prevention notice for the purposes of paragraph 24(1)(c).
The
ABA’s decision to issue such a standard access-prevention notice will be
reviewable by the Tribunal on the application of the relevant Internet service
provider concerned (paragraph 61(1)(a) and subclause 61(2)).
In
determining whether particular steps are reasonable for the purposes of
paragraph 24(1)(c), regard will be required to be had to the technical and
commercial feasibility of taking the steps and the matters set out in the
statement of Parliamentary intention in subsection 4(3) of the BSA and such
other matters as are relevant (subclauses 24(2) and (3)). It is also
anticipated that the statement of Parliamentary intention in subsection 4(3) of
the BSA will inform the development of any industry code or industry standard on
this issue.
Many users, including schools and major businesses, will
already have their own blocking technologies in place such as firewalls and
filtering software. It would be inefficient to be ‘double
filtering’ such material by also requiring Internet service providers to
filter all requests coming from such users. The processing overheads from
filtering requirements would be reduced significantly if such users could be
exempted from the filtering requirements.
Subclauses 24(4) to (7) address
this issue.
Subclause 24(4) provides that an Internet service provider
will not be required to comply with a standard-access prevention notice under
paragraph 24(1)(c) in relation to a particular end-user of Internet content if
access by the end-user is subject to a recognised alternative access-prevention
arrangement that is applicable to the end-user.
Subclause 24(5) defines
the term ‘recognised alternative access-prevention arrangement’.
The ABA will be able, by written instrument, to declare that a specified
arrangement or a specified class of arrangement is a recognised alternative
access-prevention arrangement for the purposes of the application of Division 3
of Part 3 of the Bill (which deals with action to be taken in relation to a
complaint about prohibited Internet gambling content hosted outside Australia)
to one or more specified end-users. The ABA will be able to do so if it is
satisfied that the arrangement is likely to provide a reasonably effective means
of preventing access by those end-users to prohibited Internet gambling
content.
Subclause 24(6) provides examples of arrangements that could be
declared to be recognised alternative access-prevention arrangements under
subclause 24(5). These include an arrangement that involves the use of
regularly updated Internet content filtering software and an arrangement that
involves the use of a filtered Internet carriage service. These examples are
not intended to be exhaustive.
Subclause 24(7) provides that the
ABA’s instrument declaring that a specified arrangement or specified class
of arrangement is a recognised alternative access-prevention arrangement under
subclause 24(5) will be a disallowable instrument. The instrument must
accordingly be notified in the Commonwealth Gazette, tabled in the
Parliament and will be subject to Parliamentary disallowance.
The ABA
will not be able to delegate its power to make, vary or revoke an instrument
under subclause 24(5) (see paragraph 18(2)(p) of Schedule 3 to the
BSA).
The manner in which Internet content will be able to be notified to
the police under paragraph 24(1)(a) will include, but will not be limited to, a
manner ascertained in accordance with an arrangement (such as an MOU) between
the ABA and the chief (however described) of the police force concerned
(subclause 24(8)).
If a member of the Australian Federal Police or of a
State or Territory police force is notified of particular Internet content under
clause 24, that person may notify the content to a member of another law
enforcement agency in Australia or overseas (subclause 24(9)).
Clause 24
will not, by implication, limit the ABA’s powers to refer other matters to
a member of the Australian Federal Police or of a State or Territory police
force (subclause 24(10)).
Clause 25 – Deferral of action in
order to avoid prejudicing a criminal investigation
In cases of
extreme concern, for example a serious online fraud, it is possible that a
police investigation may be concurrent with a complaint to the ABA about
particular material. The public nature of the ABA complaints and investigation
process proposed in the Bill could prejudice a police investigation in these
circumstances. As a safeguard, therefore, it is proposed to give the ABA a
discretion to defer action where a member of the Federal, State or Territory
police satisfies the ABA that an investigation should be deferred for a
specified period.
Clause 25 specifically provides that
if:
• in the course of an investigation under Division 2 of Part 3
of the Bill the ABA is satisfied that Internet content hosted outside Australia
is prohibited Internet gambling content; and
• apart from subclause
25(1), the ABA would be required to take action under subclause 24(1) in
relation to a complaint about content; and
• a member of an
Australian police force satisfies the ABA that the taking of that action should
be deferred until the end of a particular period in order to avoid prejudicing a
criminal investigation;
the ABA will be able to defer taking that action
until the end of that period (subclause 25(1)).
Subclause 25(1) will have
effect despite anything in clause 24 (subclause 25(2)).
Clause 26
– Anti-avoidance––notified Internet content
As an
anti-avoidance mechanism, clause 26 provides that if:
• particular
Internet content has been notified to Internet service providers under a
designated notification scheme contained in an industry code or industry
standard; and
• the ABA is satisfied that Internet content that is
the same as, or substantially similar to, this particular Internet content and
is being hosted outside Australia; and
• the ABA is satisfied that
the identical or similar Internet content is prohibited Internet gambling
content; and
• an industry code or an industry standard under Part
4 of the Bill deals exclusively with designated Internet gambling matters (see
clause 35);
the ABA will be required to notify the similar Internet
content to Internet service providers under the designated notification scheme
(see clause 4) set out in the code or standard.
The reference to Internet
content being the same as prohibited Internet gambling content is intended to
address the situation where Internet content is moved to another site without
modification.
Clause 27 – Anti-avoidance––special
access-prevention notice
If:
• a standard
access-prevention notice (see paragraph 24(1)(c)) relating to particular
Internet content is applicable to a particular Internet service provider;
and
• the ABA is satisfied that the provider is supplying an
Internet carriage service that enables end-users to access Internet content that
is the same as, or substantially similar to, the Internet content identified in
the standard access-prevention notice; and
• the ABA is satisfied
that the similar Internet content is prohibited Internet gambling
content;
the ABA will be able to give the provider a written notice known
as a special access-prevention notice directing the provider to take all
reasonable steps to prevent end-users from accessing the similar Internet
content at any time when the standard access-prevention notice is in force
(subclause 27(1)).
Clause 31 sets out the circumstances in which the
ABA may be deemed to have given a notice under clause 27.
The ABA’s
decision to give an Internet service provider a special access-prevention notice
will be reviewable by the Tribunal on the application of the relevant Internet
service provider concerned (paragraph 61(1)(b) and subclause 61(2)).
In
determining whether particular steps are reasonable for the purposes of
subclause 27(1), regard will be required to be had to the technical and
commercial feasibility of taking the steps and the matters set out in the
statement of Parliamentary intention in proposed subsection 4(3) of the BSA and
such other matters as are relevant (subclauses 27(2) and (3)).
Many
users, including schools and major businesses, will already have their own
blocking technologies in place such as firewalls and filtering software. It
would be inefficient to be ‘double filtering’ such material by also
requiring Internet service providers to filter all requests coming from such
users. The processing overheads from filtering requirements could be reduced
significantly if such users could be exempted from the filtering
requirements.
Subclause 27(4) addresses this issue. It provides that an
Internet service provider will not be required to comply with a special-access
prevention notice under subclause 27(1) in relation to a particular end-user of
Internet content if access by the end-user is subject to a recognised
alternative access-prevention arrangement that is applicable to the
end-user.
Subclause 24(5) defines the term ‘recognised alternative
access-prevention arrangement’. The ABA will be able, by written
instrument, to declare that a specified arrangement or a specified class of
arrangement is a recognised alternative access-prevention arrangement for the
purposes of the application of Division 3 of Part 4 of the Bill (which deals
with action to be taken in relation to a complaint about prohibited Internet
gambling content hosted outside Australia) to one or more specified end-users.
The ABA will be able to do so if it is satisfied that the arrangement is likely
to provide a reasonably effective means of preventing access by those end-users
to prohibited Internet gambling content.
Subclause 24(6) provides
examples of arrangements that could be declared to be recognised alternative
access-prevention arrangements under subclause 24(5). These include an
arrangement that involves the use of regularly updated Internet content
filtering software and an arrangement that involves the use of a filtered
Internet carriage service. These examples are not intended to be
exhaustive.
Clause 28 – Compliance with access-prevention
notices
An Internet service provider will be required to comply with
a standard access-prevention notice (see paragraph 24(1)(c)) or a special
access-prevention notice (see clause 27) that applies to the provider as soon as
practicable, and in any event by 6pm on the next business day, after the notice
was given to the provider (subclauses 28(1) and (2)).
The term
‘business day’ is defined in clause 4 of the Bill to mean a day that
is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in the place
concerned.
These requirements are online provider rules (see clause 54).
Accordingly, an Internet service provider who fails to comply with a standard
access-prevention notice or a special access-prevention notice that applies to
the provider in accordance with clause 28 will be subject to an offence under
clause 55 and to a continuing offence under clause 57.
The penalty for
the offence of contravening an online provider rule is 50 penalty units. A
penalty unit is currently $110, so the current maximum penalty is $5,500. Under
subsection 4B(3) of the Crimes Act 1914, if a body corporate is convicted
of an offence against a Commonwealth law, the Court may impose a penalty of up
to 5 times the amount of the maximum penalty that could be imposed on a natural
person. As a result, the current maximum penalty that could be imposed on a
corporation is $27,500.
Clause 29 – Notification of Internet
content
Clause 29 provides that Internet content will be able to be
notified in accordance with Division 3 of Part 3 of the Bill by setting out the
content, describing the content or in any other way.
Clause 30 – Application of notifications under this Division
For the purposes of greater clarity concerning the operation of clause
29, clause 30 puts beyond doubt that notices under Division 3 should identify a
particular Internet site, a class of Internet site or a distinct part of such a
site.
Clause 31 – ABA may be taken to have issued
access-prevention notices
Subject to subclause 31(2), the ABA will be
empowered to formulate a scheme, by disallowable instrument:
• in
the nature of a scheme for substituted service (eg. publication in a national
newspaper or by some other means, such as on a website, with or without security
measures, without the need to physically serve the notice);
• under
which the ABA will be deemed, for the purposes of the Bill, to have done any or
all of the following:
– given each Internet service provider a
standard access-prevention notice under paragraph 24(1)(c) of the
Bill;
– given each Internet service provider a special
access-prevention notice under clause 27 (subclauses 31(1) and (4)).
At
a minimum, a scheme formulated under subclause (1) must provide for each
Internet service provider to be alerted by electronic means (ie. by e-mail) to
the existence of a notice (subclause 31(2)).
As the instrument under
subclause (1) is disallowable (see subclause 31(4)) it will be required to be
published in the Commonwealth Gazette, tabled in both Houses of
Parliament and will be subject to Parliamentary disallowance.
The ABA
will not be able to delegate its power to make, vary or revoke an instrument
under subclause 31(1) (see paragraph 18(2)(p) of Schedule 3 to the
BSA).
Paragraph 24(1)(c) of the Bill will have effect, in relation to a
scheme under subclause 31(1), as if the reference in paragraph 24(1)(c) to each
Internet service provider known to the ABA were a reference to each Internet
service provider (subclause 31(3)).
Part 4––Compaints system: industry code and industry standard
Part 4 of the Bill sets out rules for the development of a self-regulatory
industry code by bodies and associations that represent Internet service
providers. The only code that will be able to be developed is a code that deals
with the designated Internet gambling matters (see clause 35). These are
formulation of a designated notification scheme (a scheme whereby the ABA is
taken to have notified an Internet service provider of a particular matter) and
procedures which an Internet service provider must follow when the ABA notifies
them of prohibited Internet gambling content under paragraph 24(1)(b) or clause
26.
The ABA will have a reserve power to make a mandatory industry
standard if the industry is unwilling to make such codes or such codes are
deficient. This Part operates independently of the program codes and standards
provisions for the broadcasting industry made under Part 9 of the BSA.
Division 1––Simplified outline
Clause 32 – Simplified outline
Clause 32 contains a
simplified outline of Part 4 of the Bill (which deals with the industry codes
and industry standards) to assist readers.
Division 2––Interpretation
Clause 33 – Industry code
Clause 33 provides that for
the purposes of this Bill, an industry code will be a code developed under Part
4, whether or not in response to a request under Part 4. Codes will be
developed by bodies and associations that represent Internet service
providers.
Clause 34 – Industry standard
Clause 34
defines an industry standard as a standard determined under Part 4 of this Bill.
Standards will be determined by the ABA if there are no industry codes or if an
industry code is deficient.
Clause 35 – Designated Internet gambling matters
Clause 35 sets out the meaning of designated Internet gambling matters
for the purposes of the Bill. Industry codes or standards are to deal with
designated Internet gambling matters (see clause 37).
Clause 35 sets out
two designated Internet gambling matters:
• the formulation of a
designated notification scheme (a scheme whereby the ABA is taken to have
notified an Internet service provider of a particular matter, see clause 4);
• procedures which an Internet service provider must follow when
the ABA notifies them of prohibited Internet gambling content hosted outside
Australia under paragraph 24(1)(b) or clause 26. An example of such procedures
are procedures relating to the provision of regularly updated Internet content
filtering software to subscribers.
Division 3—General principles
relating to industry code and industry standard
Clause 36 – Statement of regulatory policy
Clause 36 is a
statement of the Parliament’s regulatory policy and provides important
guidance to the ABA in performing its functions under Part 4.
Subclause
36(1) provides that it is the Parliament’s intention that bodies or
associations that the ABA is satisfied represent Internet service providers
should develop a single industry code that is to apply to Internet service
providers and deals only with designated Internet gambling matters (see clause
35).
This reflects the self-regulatory objective of the code-standard
regime. An industry body or association which represents Internet service
providers does not need to be incorporated to develop a code.
Subclause
36(2) provides that it is the intention of Parliament that an industry code
developed or standard determined under Part 4 should be in addition to any codes
developed, or standards determined under Schedule 5 to the BSA (which regulates
the publication of illegal and offensive material on the
Internet).
General codes that are already in place for the purposes of
Schedule 5 to the BSA (which regulates the publication of illegal and offensive
content on the Internet) will not be displaced. They will continue to cover
matters such as giving customers information about the availability, use and
appropriate application of Internet filtering software and the supervising and
controlling children’s access to Internet content.
The general
codes deal with procedures directed towards the achievement of the objective of
ensuring that online accounts are not provided to children without the consent
of a parent or responsible adult; procedures to be followed in order to assist
parents and responsible adults to supervise and control children’s access
to Internet content and the procedures to be followed in order to inform
producers of Internet content about their legal responsibilities in relation to
that content. In addition the codes outline the obligations of Internet service
providers in relation to access to content hosted outside Australia.
Subclause 36(3) provides that it is the intention of Parliament that
Part 4 does not limit the matters that may be dealt with by any codes developed,
or standards determined under Schedule 5 to the BSA.
Subclause 36(4)
provides that it is the Parliament’s intention that the ABA should make
reasonable efforts to ensure that, either an industry code is registered under
Part 4 before Part 3 of the Bill commences (see clause 2) or an industry
standard is registered under that Part before this time.
Clause 37
– Matters that must be dealt with by industry code and industry
standard
Clause 37 sets out the matters to be dealt with in an
industry code or standard.
Subclause 37(2) provides that it is the
intention of the Parliament that, for the Internet service provider, there
should be an industry code or an industry standard that deals with, or an
industry code and an industry standard that together deal with each of the
following matters:
• the formulation of a designated notification
scheme (see clause 34);
• procedures to be followed by Internet
service providers in dealing with overseas hosted Internet content notified to
them by the ABA in accordance with a designated notification scheme (for
example, procedures relating to the provision of regularly updated Internet
content filtering software to subscribers).
Many users, including schools
and major businesses, will already have their own blocking technologies in place
such as firewalls and filtering software. It would be inefficient to be
‘double filtering’ such material by also requiring Internet service
providers to filter all requests coming from such users. The processing
overheads from filtering requirements could be reduced significantly if such
users could be exempted from the filtering requirements.
Subclauses 37(3)
to (8) address this issue.
Subclause 37(3) provides that an industry code
or an industry standard will be able to exempt an Internet service provider from
taking steps to prevent end-users from accessing prohibited Internet gambling
content hosted outside Australia, or content that is substantially similar to
such prohibited content, if access is subject to an arrangement that is declared
by the code or standard to be a designated alternative access-prevention
arrangement for the purposes of the application of clause 37 to those
end-users.
Subclause 37(4) provides that the body or association
developing an industry code will not be able to able to declare that a specified
arrangement, or a class of specified arrangement, is a designated alternative
access-prevention arrangement for the purposes of the application of clause 37
to one or more specified end-users, or classes of specified end-users, unless
the body or association is satisfied that the arrangement is likely to provide a
reasonably effective means of preventing access by those end-users to prohibited
Internet gambling content.
Similarly, subclause 37(5) provides that the
ABA, in making an industry standard, will not be able to able to declare that a
specified arrangement, or a class of specified arrangement, is a designated
alternative access-prevention arrangement for the purposes of the application of
clause 37 to one or more specified end-users, or classes of specified end-users,
unless the ABA is satisfied that the arrangement is likely to provide a
reasonably effective means of preventing access by those end-users to prohibited
Internet gambling content.
Subclause 37(6) provides examples of
arrangements that could be declared to be designated alternative
access-prevention arrangements under subclause 37(3). These include an
arrangement that involves the use of regularly updated Internet content
filtering software and an arrangement that involves the use of a filtered
Internet carriage service. These examples are not intended to be
exhaustive.
Subclauses 36(7) and (8) provide that for the purposes of the Bill, if an
industry code or an industry standard:
• deals to any extent with
procedures to be followed by Internet service providers in dealing with
prohibited Internet gambling content hosted outside Australia, or content that
is substantially similar to such content; and
• makes provision for
a designated alternative access-prevention
arrangement;
then
• the code or standard is deemed to have
dealt with the requirements of paragraph 35(2)(b) (which requires codes and
standards to deal with procedures, including filtering procedures, to be
followed by Internet service providers in dealing with prohibited Internet
gambling content hosted outside Australia, or content that is substantially
similar to such content); and
• the code or standard is deemed to
be consistent with subclause 37(2).
Division 4––Industry code
Clause 38 – Registration of industry code
Clause 38
will enable a body or association representing Internet service providers to
submit a draft industry code that applies to Internet service providers and
deals exclusively with designated Internet gambling matters (see clause 35) to
the ABA for registration.
Subclauses 38(1) and (2) require the ABA to
register an industry code if the ABA is satisfied that:
• the code provides appropriate community safeguards for the designated Internet gambling matters. An example of what may be considered an appropriate community safeguard is that the code provides for appropriate regularly updated Internet content filtering software. The community has an interest in ensuring that software is regularly updated so as to include matters such as addressing issues of children’s access and problem gambling;
• the body or association has published a draft code, invited Internet service providers to make submissions within a period of at least 30 days (subclause 38(3)) and considered any submissions; and
• the body or association has published a draft code, invited members
of the public to make submissions within a period of at least 30 days (subclause
38(3)) and considered any submissions.
The public comment requirements are
additional to any opportunities the industry may provide for the involvement of
the public or consumer representatives in the code development process.
Subclause 38(4) provides that when a new code is registered under Part 4
and it is expressed to replace another industry code, the other code ceases to
be registered.
A decision to refuse to register a code is subject to
Tribunal review on the application of the body or association that developed the
code (see subclauses 61(3) and (4)).
Clause 39 – ABA may request Code
Clause 39 performs the function of being a formal trigger for the
development of an industry code. The failure to develop the code which has been
requested provides a ground for the ABA to develop an industry standard (clause
44). That provision has the effect of preventing the ABA developing a standard
before the industry has the opportunity to develop a code.
Clause 39
provides that if the ABA is satisfied that a body or association represents
Internet service providers, it may request them to develop a code that applies
to Internet service providers and deals exclusively with designated Internet
gambling matters (see clause 35). The ABA must specify a period of at least 120
days for a code to be developed and a copy to be given to it (subclause
39(2)).
The ABA will not be permitted to make a request under clause 39
unless it is satisfied that it is unlikely that an industry code would be
developed within a reasonable period without such a request (subclause
39(3)).
The ABA will be able to vary the request by extending the period
(subclause 39(4)). This will not by implication limit the application of
subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 which
provides that where an Act confers a power to make an instrument, the power
shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as including a power
exercisable in a like manner and subject to like conditions (if any), to revoke
or vary such an instrument (subclause 39(5)).
The ABA’s notice
under subclause 39(1) will be able to specify indicative targets for achieving
progress in developing the code. The targets are binding and may be used to
guide the timing of the development process of a standard (see subparagraph
44(1)(b)(ii)).
The ABA’s request for a codes must be kept on a
publicly available Register (see clause 53).
Clause 40 –
Publication of notice where no body or association represents Internet service
providers
Clause 40 provides that if the ABA is satisfied that there
is no body or association in existence that represents Internet service
providers, it may publish a notice in the Commonwealth Gazette to the
effect that if such a body were to come into existence, the ABA would be likely
to request it to develop a code under clause 39. The notice must set a period
of at least 60 days for the Internet service providers to establish a
representative body.
The notice must be kept on a publicly available
Register (see clause 53).
If no such body or association is formed within
the period set out in the notice, this would be a consideration in whether an
industry standard would be made under clause 45. Again, the provision has the
effect of preventing the ABA developing an industry standard before industry has
an opportunity to develop a code.
Clause 41 – Replacement of
industry code
Clause 41 provides that changes to an industry code are
to be achieved by replacement of the code rather than varying the code.
However, when the changes are of a minor nature, the requirements for
consultation with Internet service providers and the public in paragraphs
38(1)(e) and (f) of the Bill will not apply to the registration process. This
will limit consultation to when matters of substance arise and facilitate the
making of minor changes to registered codes.
Clause 42 –
Compliance with industry code
Clause 42 provides that Internet
service providers must comply with any ABA direction to comply with an industry
code registered under Part 4 that applies to them. The ABA may make such a
direction if the ABA is satisfied that the Internet service provider has
contravened, or is contravening a registered code.
The ABA’s
direction must be kept on a publicly available Register (see clause
53).
This requirement is an online provider rule (see clause 54).
Contravention of online provider rules is an offence (clause 55) and a
continuing offence (clause 57).
The ABA’s decision to give, vary or
refuse to revoke a direction to an Internet service provider will be reviewable
by the Tribunal on the application of the Internet service provider concerned
(paragraph 61(1)(c) and subclause 61(2)).
Clause 43 – Formal
warnings––breach of industry code
Clause 43 provides that
if an Internet service provider contravenes an industry code, the ABA may issue
a formal warning to the Internet service provider. It is intended to enable the
ABA to formally indicate its concerns about a contravention of a code to a
person. Such a warning may be a precursor to the taking of enforcement action
under clauses 56 to 59. However, in the case of a serious, flagrant or
recurring breach, the ABA may decide to institute enforcement action without
giving a prior formal warning.
Division 5––Industry standard
Clause 44 – ABA may determine an industry standard if a request
for an industry code is not complied with
Clause 44 will enable the
ABA to make a standard where it has requested industry to develop a code and it
has failed to do so or to have made satisfactory progress.
Clause 44
provides that, if the ABA requests a code to be developed by an Internet service
provider under subclause 39(1) and this request has not been complied with,
indicative targets have not been met, or a code has been developed that the ABA
subsequently refused to register, then the ABA may determine an industry
standard. The standard is to deal exclusively with designated Internet gambling
matters (see clause 35).
Subclause 44(3) requires the ABA to consult the
body or association to which it made the request before determining an industry
standard.
Subclause 44(4) provides that a standard is a disallowable
instrument for the purposes of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 which
accordingly must be notified in the Commonwealth Gazette, tabled in the
Parliament and will be subject to Parliamentary disallowance.
The ABA
will not be able to delegate its power to make a standard under subclause 44(2)
(see paragraph 18(2)(p) of Schedule 3 to the BSA).
Subclause 44(5)
empowers the Minister to give the ABA a written direction as to the exercise of
its powers under clause 44.
Before the ABA determines a standard it must
provide for public consultation (see clause 52).
Clause 45 – ABA
may determine industry standard where no industry body or association
formed
Clause 45 enables the ABA to make a standard where no industry
representative body has been established. The provision works in tandem with
clause 40. It prevents the ABA from making a standard before Internet service
providers have had an appropriate opportunity to develop a code.
If the
ABA is satisfied that Internet service providers are not represented by a body
or association, has published a notice under subclause 40(1) and no such body or
association comes into existence within the period in the notice, then the ABA
may determine an industry standard. The standard is to deal exclusively with
designated Internet gambling matters (see clause 35).
Subclause 45(3)
provides that such a standard is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of
the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 which accordingly must be notified in
the Commonwealth Gazette, tabled in the Parliament and will be subject to
Parliamentary disallowance.
The ABA will not be able to delegate its
power to make such a standard (see paragraph 18(2)(p) of Schedule 3 to the
BSA).
Subclause 45(4) empowers the Minister to give the ABA a written
direction as to the exercise of its powers under clause 45.
Before the
ABA determines a standard it must provide for public consultation (see clause
52).
Clause 46 – ABA may determine industry
standard––total failure of industry code
Clause 46
enables the ABA to make a standard where a code has totally failed. It prevents
the ABA from making a standard before a code has proven to be
ineffective.
If the ABA is satisfied that an industry code is totally
deficient; a written notice has been given to the developer of a code to address
these deficiencies within a period of at least 30 days; and after that period
the ABA is satisfied that it is necessary or convenient to determine a standard,
the ABA may determine an industry standard. This clause only applies to codes
registered for at least 180 days to ensure that the implementation of a code has
had adequate time before its success is judged and is intended to reinforce the
preference for successful industry self-regulation.
If the ABA is
satisfied that a body or association represents Internet service providers,
subclause 46(4) requires the ABA to consult with the body or association before
determining an industry standard. The industry code ceases to be registered on
the day the industry standard comes into force (subclause 46(6)).
Subclause 46(5) provides that such a standard is a disallowable
instrument for the purposes of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 which
accordingly must be notified in the Commonwealth Gazette, tabled in the
Parliament and will be subject to Parliamentary disallowance.
The ABA
will not be able to delegate its power to make such a standard (see paragraph
18(2)(p) of Schedule 3 to the BSA).
An industry code is totally deficient
if, and only if, it is not operating to provide appropriate community safeguards
in relation to the designated Internet gambling matters (subclause 46(7)). An
example of what may be considered an appropriate community safeguard is that the
code provides for appropriate regularly updated Internet content filtering
software. The community has an interest in ensuring that software is regularly
updated so as to include matters such as addressing issues of children’s
access and problem gambling.
Subclause 46(8) empowers the Minister to
give the ABA a written direction as to the exercise of its powers under clause
46.
Before the ABA determines a standard it must provide for public
consultation (see clause 52).
Clause 47 – ABA may determine
industry standard––partial failure of industry
code
Clause 47 enables the ABA to make a standard where a code has
partially failed. It prevents the ABA from making a standard before a code has
proven to be ineffective. It is intended to provide flexibility in the scheme
dealing with industry codes and industry standards. It is anticipated that the
ABA would make use of this provision only as a last resort.
If the ABA is
satisfied that an industry code is partially but not totally deficient; a
written notice has been given to the developer of a code to address these
deficiencies within a period of at least 30 days; and after that period the ABA
is satisfied that it is necessary or convenient to determine a standard, the ABA
may determine an industry standard. This clause only applies to codes
registered for at least 180 days to ensure that the implementation of a code has
had adequate time before its success is judged and is intended to reinforce the
preference for successful industry self-regulation. The industry standard
determined by the ABA will only deal with the deficient matter.
If the
ABA is satisfied that a body or association represents Internet service
providers, subclause 47(4) requires the ABA to consult with the body or
association before determining an industry standard. The deficient matter in
the industry code ceases to have effect on the day the industry standard comes
into force. This does not, however, affect the continuing registration of the
remainder of the code or any pre-existing investigation, proceeding or remedy in
respect of a contravention of the code or of an ABA direction to comply with the
code (subclause 47(6)).
Subclause 47(5) provides that such a standard
is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Acts Interpretation Act
1901 which accordingly must be notified in the Commonwealth Gazette,
tabled in the Parliament and will be subject to Parliamentary
disallowance.
The ABA will not be able to delegate its power to make such
a standard (see paragraph 18(2)(p) of Schedule 3 to the BSA).
An industry
code is deficient if, and only if, it is not operating to provide appropriate
community safeguards in relation to a designated Internet gambling matter
(subclause 47(7)). An example of what may be considered an appropriate
community safeguard is that the code provides for appropriate regularly updated
Internet content filtering software. The community has an interest in ensuring
that software is regularly updated so as to include matters such as addressing
issues of children’s access and problem gambling.
Subclause 47(8)
empowers the Minister to give the ABA a written direction as to the exercise of
its powers under clause 47.
Before the ABA determines a standard it must
provide for public consultation (see clause 52).
Clause 48 –
Compliance with industry standard
Clause 48 provides that Internet
service providers must comply with any industry standard registered under Part 4
that applies to them.
This requirement is an online provider rule (see
clause 54). Contravention of online provider rules is an offence (clause 55)
and a continuing offence (clause 57).
Clause 49 – Formal
warnings––breach of industry standard
Clause 49 provides
that if an Internet service provider contravenes an industry standard, the ABA
may issue a formal warning to the Internet service provider. It is intended to
enable the ABA to formally indicate its concerns about a contravention of a
standard to a person. Such a warning may be a precursor to the taking of
enforcement action under clauses 56 to 59. However, in the case of a serious,
flagrant or recurring breach, the ABA may decide to institute enforcement action
without giving a prior formal warning.
Clause 50 – Variation of
industry standard
Clause 50 provides that the ABA will be able to
vary an industry standard if it is satisfied that it is necessary or convenient
to do so to provide appropriate community safeguards in relation to either or
both of the designated Internet gambling matters. An example of what may be
considered an appropriate community safeguard is that the code provides for
appropriate regularly updated Internet content filtering software. The
community has an interest in ensuring that software is regularly updated so as
to include matters such as addressing issues of children’s access and
problem gambling.
A variation will be a disallowable instrument for the
purposes of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 and accordingly must be
notified in the Commonwealth Gazette, tabled in the Parliament and will
be subject to Parliamentary disallowance (subclause 50(2)).
The ABA will
not be able to delegate its power to vary an industry standard (see paragraph
18(2)(p) of Schedule 3 to the BSA).
Before the ABA varies a standard it
must provide for public consultation (see clause 52).
Clause 51
– Revocation of industry standard
Clause 51 provides that the
ABA will be able to revoke an industry standard by written instrument.
An instrument of revocation will be a disallowable instrument for the
purposes of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 and accordingly must be
notified in the Commonwealth Gazette, tabled in the Parliament and will
be subject to Parliamentary disallowance (subclause 51(3)).
The ABA will
not be able to delegate its power to revoke an industry standard (see paragraph
18(2)(p) of Schedule 3 to the BSA).
If an industry code is developed by
Internet service providers to replace an industry standard, the industry
standard is revoked when the new code is registered. The process by which the
code will be registered will ensure the code provides appropriate community
safeguards.
Clause 52 – Public consultation on industry
standard
Clause 52 provides that, before the ABA determines or varies
a standard, it must publish a notice in a newspaper circulating in each State
and the internal Territories seeking public comment on a draft industry standard
within a specified period (being at least 30 days after the publication of the
notice). Minor variations are exempted from this requirement (subclause
52(3)).
The ABA must have due regard to any comments made (subclause
52(4)).
Division 6 - Industry code and industry standard to be included on a Register
Clause 53 – Industry code and industry standard to be included on a
Register
Clause 53 provides for the establishment and maintenance by
the ABA of a Register of industry codes and standards, requests under clause 39
(ABA requests for a Code), notices under clause 40 (a notice where there is no
body or association representing Internet service providers) and ABA directions
under clause 42 (directing persons to comply with a Code). The Register may be
maintained in electronic form and is to be made available for inspection on the
Internet.
The maintenance of the Register is intended to provide industry
and the public with ready information about the codes and standards that are in
force.
Part 5––Complaints system: online provider rules
Clause 54 – Online provider rules
Clause 54 provides
that for the purposes of the Bill, each of the following is an online provider
rule:
• the rules set out in subclauses 28(1) and (2), which
require an Internet service provider to comply with any standard
access-prevention notice (see paragraph 24(1)(c)) or any special
access-prevention notice (see clause 27) that applies to the provider as soon as
practicable, and in any event by 6pm on the next business day, after the notice
was given to the provider;
• the rule set out in subclause 42(2),
which requires an Internet service provider that has contravened, or is
contravening, a relevant registered industry code to comply with any ABA
direction to comply with the code;
• the rule set out in clause 48,
which requires an Internet service provider to comply with any industry standard
registered under Part 4 that applies to them.
Under clauses 55 and 57, a
person subject to online provider rules who contravenes any of those rules will
be guilty of an offence and a continuing offence for each day during which the
contravention continues.
Clause 55 – Compliance with online
provider rules
Clause 55 provides that a person subject to an online
provider rule whose conduct contravenes the rule will be guilty of an offence
subject to a maximum penalty of 50 penalty units in the case of an individual
and 250 penalty units in the case of a body corporate (see subsection 4B(3) of
the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)). A penalty unit equals $110 (see section 4AA
of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)).
A contravention of the online
provider rules will also be a continuing offence in respect of each day during
which the contravention continues (see clause 57).
Clause 56 –
Remedial directions––breach of online provider
rules
Clause 56 will apply if an Internet service provider has
engaged in conduct that amounts to a contravention, or is engaging in conduct
that amounts to a contravention, of an online provider rule.
The ABA will
be empowered to give the Internet service provider a written direction requiring
the provider to take specified action (including the compliance time for this
action) directed towards ensuring that the rule is not contravened, or is not
likely to be contravened, in the future.
Subclause 56(3) gives two
examples of the kinds of directions which the ABA may give under subclause
56(2):
• a direction that the provider implement effective
administrative systems for monitoring compliance with an online provider rule;
and
• a direction that the provider implement a system designed to
inform its employees, agents and contractors of the requirements of an online
provider rule.
Subclause 56(4) provides that a person subject to a
remedial direction who engages in conduct in contravention of the direction will
be guilty of an offence subject to a maximum penalty of 50 penalty units in the
case of an individual and 250 penalty units in the case of a body corporate (see
subsection 4B(3) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)). A penalty unit equals
$110 (see section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth)).
A
contravention of a remedial direction will also be a continuing offence in
respect of each day during which the contravention continues (see clause
57).
The ABA’s decision to give, vary or refuse to revoke a
remedial direction that is applicable to an Internet service provider will be
reviewable by the Tribunal on the application of the Internet service provider
concerned (paragraph 61(1)(c) and subclause 61(2)).
Clause 57 –
Continuing offences
Clause 57 provides that a person who
contravenes:
• clause 55 (which provides that a person subject to
an online provider rule who engages in conduct in contravention of the rule will
be guilty of an offence); or
• subclause 56(4) (which provides that
a person subject to a remedial direction who engages in conduct in contravention
of the direction will be guilty of an offence);
will be guilty of a
separate offence in respect of each day (including the day of a conviction for
the offence or any later day) during which the contravention
continues.
The maximum penalty for each day that the offence continues is
ten percent of the maximum penalty that could be imposed in respect of the
principal offence. That is ten percent of 50 penalty units ($5,500) or $550 for
each of the offences in clauses 55 and 56(4).
Clause 58 – Formal
warnings––breach of online provider rules
Clause 58 will
allow the ABA to issue a formal warning if a person contravenes an online
provider rule.
Clause 59 – Federal Court may order a person to
cease supplying Internet carriage services
If the ABA is satisfied
that an Internet service provider is supplying an Internet carriage service,
otherwise than in accordance with an online provider rule, the ABA will be able
to apply to the Federal Court for an order that the provider cease supplying
that service, as the case requires (subclause 59(1)).
If the Federal
Court is satisfied, on such an application, that the Internet service provider
is supplying an Internet carriage service, otherwise than in accordance with the
online provider rule, it will be able to order the provider to cease supplying
that service (subclause 59(2)).
Part
6––Complaints system: Protection from civil
proceedings
Clause 60 – Protection from civil proceedings
Internet
service providers will be protected from civil proceedings (for example, for
breach of contract or defamation) in respect of anything done by them in
compliance with:
• an industry code or an industry standard under
Part 4 of the Bill in so far as the code or standard deals with procedures to be
followed by providers in dealing with Internet content notified under a
designated notification scheme set out in the code or standard (subclause
60(1)); or
• clause 28 which requires an Internet service provider
to comply with a standard access-prevention notice or a special
access-prevention notice that applies to the provider as soon as practicable,
and in any event by 6pm on the next business day, after the notice was given to
the provider (subclause 60(2)).
Part 7––
Complaints system: review of decisions
Clause 61 – Review of decisions
Clause 61 of the Bill provides for the review of certain decisions of the
ABA by the Tribunal. Persons whose interests are affected by a decision
referred to in clause 61 may apply to the Tribunal for a review of the
decision.
The Tribunal means the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
or, after the commencement of Parts 4 to 10 of the Administrative Review
Tribunal Act 2001, the Administrative Review Tribunal, which is the body
which is proposed to replace the AAT (subclause 61(6)).
The ABA’s
decision to issue a standard access-prevention notice to an Internet service
provider under paragraph 24(1)(c) will be reviewable by the Tribunal on the
application of the relevant Internet service provider concerned (paragraph
61(1)(a) and subclause 61(2)).
The ABA’s decision to give an
Internet service provider a special access-prevention notice (see clause 27)
will be reviewable by the Tribunal on the application of the relevant Internet
service provider concerned (paragraph 61(1)(b) and subclause 61(2)).
The
ABA’s decision to give, vary or refuse to revoke a direction to comply
with an industry code (clause 42) or a remedial direction (clause 56) that is
applicable to an Internet service provider will be reviewable by the Tribunal on
the application of the Internet service provider concerned (paragraph 61(1)(c)
and subclause 61(2)).
An ABA decision to refuse to register a code is
subject to Tribunal review on the application of the body or association that
developed the code (see subclauses 61(3) and (4)).
Subclause 61(5) is
based on section 205 of the BSA. It provides that if the ABA makes a decision
that is reviewable under clause 61, it must include in the document by which the
decision is notified a statement setting out the reasons for the decision and a
statement to the effect that an application may be made to the Tribunal for a
review of the decision.
Part
8––Miscellaneous
Clause 62 – Application of Criminal Code
Clause 62 provides that Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code (except
Part 2.5) applies to an offence against the Bill.
The Criminal
Code is contained in the Schedule to the Criminal Code Act 1995,
which was enacted as part of the development of a nationwide uniform criminal
code. Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code contains all the general principles
of criminal responsibility that apply to any offence against a law of the
Commonwealth. For example Chapter 2 sets out:
• the elements of an
offence;
• the circumstances in which there is no criminal
responsibility (for example if a child is under 10, duress, self
defence);
• the general principles of corporate criminal
responsibility;
• offences which deal with extensions of criminal
responsibility (for example attempt and conspiracy); and
• the
proof of criminal responsibility.
While Chapter 2 of the Criminal
Code does not apply to all existing Commonwealth offences until on and after
15 December 2001, the Code is being applied to all new legislation which
contains offences, to ensure that they are consistent with the Code once it
comes into operation. Clause 62 ensures that the general principles contained
in the Code will apply to an offence against the Bill.
Part 2.5 of the
Code deals with general principles of corporate criminal responsibility. Part
2.5 of the Code is the only part of Chapter 2, which does not apply
automatically to offences. When the Criminal Code was introduced into
the Senate on 30 June 1994 it was stated that Part 2.5 would be the basis of
liability if no other basis were provided. Since clause 63 of this Bill
contains a provision which deals with corporate criminal responsibility, Part
2.5 of the Criminal Code has not been applied to an offence against this
Bill.
Clause 63 – Conduct by directors, employees and
agents
If a body corporate (such as a company) has committed an
offence or an ancillary offence relating to the Bill (see subclause 63(8)) and
it is necessary in proceedings to establish the state of mind of the body
corporate, it will be sufficient to show that:
• a director,
employee or agent of the body corporate, acting within the scope of his or her
authority, engaged in that conduct; and
• the director, employee or
agent had that state of mind (subclause 63(1)).
If conduct is engaged in
on behalf of a body corporate by a director, employee or agent of the body
corporate and the conduct is within the scope of his or her authority, the
conduct will be taken, for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence under
this Bill or an ancillary offence that relates to this Bill, to have been
engaged in by the body corporate unless the body corporate establishes that it
took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct
(subclause 63(2)).
If, in proceedings for an offence or an ancillary
offence relating to this Bill in respect of conduct engaged in by a person other
than a body corporate, it is necessary to establish the state of mind of the
person, it will be sufficient to show that the conduct was engaged in by an
employee or agent of the person within the scope of his or her authority and the
employee or agent had that state of mind (subclause 63(3)).
If conduct is
engaged in on behalf of a person other than a body corporate by an employee or
agent of the person and the conduct is within the scope of his or her authority,
the conduct will be taken, for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence
against this Bill or an ancillary offence relating to this Bill, to have been
engaged in by the person unless the person establishes that he or she took
reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct
(subclause 63(4)).
If a person other than a body corporate is convicted
of an offence for which the person would not have been convicted if subclauses
63(3) and (4) had not been in force, the person will not be liable to be
punished by imprisonment for that offence (subclause 63(5)).
For the
purposes of subclauses 63(1) and (3), the state of mind of a person will include
the person’s knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose and the
person’s reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or purpose (subclause
63(6)).
A reference in clause 63 to a director of a body corporate will
include a reference to a constituent member of a body corporate incorporated for
a public purpose by Commonwealth, State or Territory law such as a member of a
statutory authority or Government Business Enterprise (subclause
63(7)).
A reference in clause 63 to ‘an ancillary offence relating
to this Act’ means a reference to an offence created
by:
• section 6 of the Crimes Act 1914, dealing with persons
who are accessories after the fact; or
• Part 2.4 of the Criminal
Code, dealing with extensions of criminal responsibility such as attempt,
complicity and common purpose, innocent agency, incitement and
conspiracy;
that relates to the Bill (subclause 63(8)).
Clause 64 – Service of summons or process on foreign corporations – criminal proceedings
Clause 64 provides a special rule for the service of summons or process
on foreign corporations for criminal proceedings under the Bill.
The special rule is additional to the general rule for service of
documents at section 28A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
The
special rule allows a summons or process in criminal proceedings under the
Bill to be effected by serving the summons or process on an Australian
agent of a body corporate incorporated outside Australia in the following
circumstances:
(a) the body corporate does not have a registered office
in Australia; and
(b) the body corporate has an agent in
Australia.
Clause 65 – Service of notices
Clause 65 provides that a notice under this Bill (for example a special
access-prevention notice) may be given by fax, as well as by other
means.
Clause 66 – Application of the Broadcasting Services
Act 1992
Clause 66 ensures that a reference to the BSA in the
following provisions in the BSA also include a reference to this
Bill:
• section 3, which contains the objects of the BSA;
• subparagraph 5(1)(b)(ii) and subsection 5(2), which provides for the
role of the ABA in achieving the objects of the BSA.
• paragraph
158(n). Paragraph 66(1)(d) ensures that the ABA’s function to monitor and
report to the Minister on the operation of the BSA will also extend to a
function to monitor and report to the Minister on the operation this
Bill;
• paragraph 160(c). Currently paragraph 160(c) provides that
the ABA is required to perform its functions in a manner consistent with any
directions given by the Minister in accordance with the BSA. Paragraph 66(1)(c)
ensures that the ABA’s functions must also be performed consistently with
any directions given by the Minister in accordance with this Bill. This ensures
that the general obligations of the ABA under all of section 160 will apply to
the ABA when performing its functions under this Bill;
• subsection
162(1). Subsection 162(1) provides that written directions given to the ABA by
the Minister relating to the performance of its functions must be of a general
nature, except as otherwise specified in the BSA. This is extended to include
this Bill;
• Paragraph 168(2)(b). This paragraph relates to the
ABA obtaining information. Paragraph 66(1)(g) will ensure that the procedures
that the ABA adopts in informing itself of matters relevant to its functions
will promote the due administration of the BSA and this
Bill;
• Paragraph 171(2)(a). This paragraph relates to a
Minister’s direction to the ABA to conduct an investigation. Paragraph
66(1)(b) will ensure that the Minister may direct the ABA to investigate any
matter that the Minister is satisfied should be investigated in the interests of
the due administration of the BSA and this Bill;
• Section 183.
This section relates to a Minister’s direction to the ABA to hold a
hearing. Paragraph 66(1)(i) will ensure that if the Minister is satisfied that
the ABA should in the interests of the due administration of the BSA or this
Bill, hold a hearing in relation to any matter, the Minister may so direct the
ABA to hold a hearing;
• Paragraph 187(2)(b). This paragraph
relates to the conduct of ABA hearings. Paragraph 66(1)(j) ensures that a
hearing may be conducted in private if the ABA is satisfied that hearing a
matter in public would not be conducive to the due administration of the BSA or
this Bill.
Subclause 66(2) provides that paragraph 18(2)(j) of Schedule 3
to the BSA does not apply to a notice given under this Act.
Clause 67 – Additional ABA function – monitoring compliance
with codes and standards
Clause 67 provides that the the ABA’s
functions include monitoring compliance with codes and standards registered
under Part 4. This is additional to the functions of the ABA for the purposes
of section 159 of the BSA.
Clause 68 – Review before 1 July
2004
The Minister will be required to arrange for a review of the
operation of the Bill to be completed before 1 July 2004 (subclause 68(1)).
Because technology is developing so rapidly, it is important to have a clear
assessment of what is technically available in terms of filtering prohibited
Internet gambling content on the Internet.
The Minister will be required
to arrange for a report of the review to be prepared (subclause 68(2)) and for
the report to be tabled before each House of Parliament within 15 sitting days
after the completion of the preparation of the report (subclause 68(3)).
Clause 69 – Operation of State and Territory laws
Clause 69 provides that the Bill is not intended to exclude or
limit the operation of a law of a State or Territory to the extent that that law
is capable of operating concurrently with the Bill.
Clause 69 has been
included to ensure that any State or Territory law that is capable of operating
concurrently with the Bill is not affected by the Bill in this
regard.
Clause 70 – Regulations
Clause 70 provides that the Governor-General may make regulations
prescribing matters necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or
giving effect to the Bill.
It is likely that there will not be a need for
regulations to be made under clause 70. The power to make regulations has been
included for completeness.