Funding of consumer representation, and of research, in relation to telecommunications
593 Funding of consumer representation, and of research, in relation to telecommunications
The Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, make a grant of financial assistance to a consumer body for purposes in connection with the representation of the interests of consumers in relation to telecommunications issues.
The Minister may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, make a grant of financial assistance to a person or body for purposes in connection with research into the social, economic, environmental or technological implications of developments relating to telecommunications.
The terms and conditions on which financial assistance is to be granted under this section are to be set out in a written agreement between the Commonwealth and the person or body receiving the grant.
An agreement under subsection (3) may be entered into by the Minister on behalf of the Commonwealth.
The Minister must, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year (and, in any event, within 6 months after the end of the financial year), cause to be prepared a report relating to the administration of this section during the financial year.
The Minister must cause copies of a report prepared under subsection (5) to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the completion of the preparation of the report.
Grants under this section are to be paid out of money appropriated by the Parliament for the purposes of this section.
In this section:
consumer body means a body or association that represents the interests of consumers.
telecommunications means the carriage of communications by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy.
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