169Public inquiry about matter involved in arbitration

##### 169 Public inquiry about matter involved in arbitration (1) Subsections (3) and (4) apply where AUSTEL considers that a matter involved in an arbitration is likely to have an effect on consumers of telecommunications services that is both significant and direct. (2) An example of such a matter is a proposal, as part of the arrangements for access by one carrier to another’s networks and services, for a major change in the way telephone calls are made—such as the introduction of a dialling prefix to be used by customers of a particular carrier. (3) AUSTEL may hold a public inquiry under Part 14 about the matter unless it considers that such an inquiry cannot be held without substantially delaying the conclusion of the arbitration. (4) If AUSTEL holds such an inquiry, it must do so in a way that does not substantially delay the conclusion of the arbitration.