Commonwealth Numbered Acts

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT 1991 No. 98 of 1991 - SECT 37

37. The functions of AUSTEL include promoting competition in the
telecommunications industry, within the regulatory framework established by
the Parliament, and, for that purpose:

   (a)  protecting persons who, within that framework, supply
        telecommunications services, or supply facilities, from practices of
        the carriers that are damaging to competition; and

   (b)  facilitating the entry, into markets for such services and facilities,
        of persons wishing so to supply such services and facilities; and

   (c)  promoting competition among the carriers; and

   (d)  protecting carriers from misuse of market power of other carriers; and

   (e)  arbitrating disputes between carriers under Part 8; and

   (f)  receiving and investigating complaints under Part 15; and

   (g)  referring matters to the Trade Practices Commission, as appropriate;
        and

   (h)  preventing the misuse of market power by international
        telecommunications operators, by administering the Code of Practice in
        force under section 77 and the class licence system under Part 10; and

   (i)  advising the Minister on ways of promoting competition within the
        telecommunications industry.