FINALLY, RESTRICTIONS ON ANNOYING TELEMARKETING CALLS

The Nationals have placed their support behind today's Federal Government announcement of plans to introduce a national 'Do Not Call register' by 2007.

Nationals Upper House Leader Peter Hall said that the laws, expected to be introduced to the Federal Parliament next month, will set minimum contact standards for telemarketers and see an end to nuisance calls.

Mr Hall introduced a Private Member's Bill to the Victorian Parliament last year, calling for annoying telemarketing calls to be limited to business hours, but it was rejected outright by both the Labor and Liberal parties.

"The Nationals' proposal was snubbed at the State level, but we are very pleased that the Federal Government has seen fit to address the issue," Mr Hall said.

"Once the new Federal laws are in place and the infrastructure developed, households and businesses will have the opportunity to place their numbers on the Do Not Call register."

Mr Hall said Victorians were clearly unhappy with the current situation, which prohibits calls on public holidays but allows them from 9am to 5pm on the weekend and 9am to 8pm during the week.

"It is expected that a million numbers will be on the register after its first week of operation, and four million after one year," Mr Hall said.

"Surveys commissioned by the Federal Privacy Commissioner in 2001 and 2004 revealed the majority of Australians are 'angry and annoyed' or 'concerned' by unsolicited telemarketing calls.

"The Federal Government's own inquiry into the issue received 500 submissions, of which 90% were unhappy with the current situation and supportive of the register.

"I am confident that families will be amongst the first to sign up for the register, frustrated with constant interruptions during family mealtimes or when they are putting their young children to bed.

"Older people, too, will appreciate that they will now have the choice to block those annoying and often unsettling after-dark calls."

The laws would, however, exempt social researchers, charities, and companies with a business relationship with an individual such as an energy company and its existing customer.

Mr Hall said that telemarketing companies would face penalties of between $40,000 and $220,000 if they breached the proposed laws.

Media contact: Peter Hall's office (03) 5174 7066