Commonwealth legislation

Control of Radiotelegraphic Communication in Emergencies Regulations

RepealedCTH

This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

Jurisdiction

Commonwealth

Act Number

9 of 1915

Collection

legislative instrument

Plain English Summary

1/10 complexity

This regulation gives the government emergency powers to censor radio communications during wartime.

The practical effect: The Postmaster-General can issue orders banning licensed radio operators—including ship and land stations—from communicating wirelessly with stations in enemy countries (nations at war with Britain). These orders, published in the official Gazette, can block all messages or allow exceptions for specific stations or special circumstances.

Who it affects: Licensed wireless telegraphy operators in Australia (both land-based and maritime).

Why it matters: Created during World War I, this was a national security measure to prevent sensitive military and commercial information reaching enemy forces via early radio technology (then called 'wireless telegraphy'). It allowed the government to override existing radio licenses to control telecommunications in a national emergency.

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Current sections

Direct links to the current provisions in Control of Radiotelegraphic Communication in Emergencies Regulations.

Control of Radiotelegraphic Communication in Emergencies Regulations

STATUTORY RULES.

1915. No. 9.

REGULATION UNDER THE WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY ACT 1905 AND THE TELEGRAPH ACT 1909.

(Issued provisionally as Statutory Rules 1914, No. 156.)

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the undermentioned Regulation under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905 and the Telegraph Act 1909, to come into operation forthwith.

Dated this 14th day of January, One thousand nine hundred and fifteen.

R. M. FERGUSON,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

W. G. SPENCE,

Postmaster-General.

Regulation under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905 and the Telegraph Act 1909.

Control of Radiotelegraphic Communication in Emergencies.

(1) The Postmaster-General may, notwithstanding anything contained in a license issued to a licensee under the Wireless Telegraphy Regulations 1913, by order published in the Gazette, prohibit for such time as he directs any licensee (whether licensed in respect of a land station or a ship station) from communicating with any radiotelegraph station licensed by, or belonging to, or in any country which is at war with His Majesty the King, or the possessions thereof.

(2) Any order under this Regulation may prohibit all communications whatever, or may permit communications to particular stations, or under special circumstances.

Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by Albert J. Mullett, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.

C.393.—Price 3d.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

1 Control of Radiotelegraphic Communication in Emergencies Regulations