The Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Act 2007 (the Amendment Act) received the Royal Assent on Friday 28 September.   Schedule 1 to the Amendment Act which transfers the provisions from the Telecommunications Act 1997 to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 will commence on 1 November 2007.

To assist stakeholders to be prepared for this date, Communications Alliance is hosting an industry information session.  The aim of this session is to advise stakeholders of changes to the telecommunications access regime on commencement of Schedules 1 and 2 and provide a forum to discuss any issues that participants may have.  The session will cover the amendments which will commence on the date of Assent (contained in Schedule 2 of the Bill), but will focus mainly on the new requirements arising out of Schedule 1, including:

• the new processes for the access to telecommunications data (on either an historical or prospective basis);
• new administrative measures which will need to be in place relating to the authorisations of telecommunications data, as well as notifications, revocations of authorisations and other measures;
• new reporting requirements introduced by the Bill; and
• the transfer of provisions relating to industry co-operation.

The session will be addressed by representatives from the Attorney-General's Department.