Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE ACT 1991 - NOTES

No. 180, 1991

Compilation No. 29

Compilation date: 18 October 2023

Includes amendments up to: Act No. 74, 2023

Registered: 27 October 2023

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 18 October 2023 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part 1--Preliminary

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Interpretation

3A Digital media service

4 Extension to external Territories

Part 2--Establishment, functions and management of the SBS

5 Special Broadcasting Service Corporation

6 Charter of the SBS

6A Datacasting functions

7 Establishment of Special Broadcasting Service Board

8 Constitution of the Board

9 Role of the Board

10 Duties of the Board

11 Minister may give directions to the Board

12 Minister may give directions to the SBS in the national interest

13 Limits on Government directions to SBS

14 Managing Director

15 Duties of the Managing Director

Part 3--The Board of Directors and the Managing Director

Division 1--Provisions relating to non-executive Directors

16 This Division applies to non-executive Directors

17 Appointment of non-executive Directors

18 Term of appointment

19 Non-executive Directors hold office on part-time basis

20 Terms and conditions of appointment not provided for by Act

21 Appointment of Deputy Chairperson

22 Board's functions and powers not affected by vacancy etc.

23 Remuneration and allowances of non-executive Directors

24 Acting Chairperson and other acting non-executive Directors

25 Leave of absence of non-executive Directors

26 Resignation of non-executive Directors

27 Removal of non-executive Directors from office

Division 2--Provisions relating to the Managing Director

28 Appointment of Managing Director

29 Term of appointment of Managing Director

30 Managing Director holds office on a full-time basis

31 Terms and conditions of appointment not provided for by Act

32 Remuneration and allowances of Managing Director

33 Acting Managing Director

34 Leave of absence of Managing Director

35 Resignation of Managing Director

36 Duty of Managing Director to disclose certain interests

37 Removal of Managing Director from office

Division 3--Meetings of the Board

38 Meetings of the Board

39 Presiding at meetings

40 Quorum and voting at meetings

41 Conduct of meetings

42 Resolutions without formal meetings

Part 3A--Merit-based appointment of non-executive Directors

43 Functions of Nomination Panel

43A Selection criteria

43B Consultation, and selection of candidate not nominated by Nomination Panel

43C Department's annual report

Part 4--Powers and duties of the SBS

44 General powers of the SBS

45 Advertising and sponsorship--broadcasting services

45A Advertising and sponsorship--digital media services

46 Community information

48 Matters to be included in corporate plans

50 Community Advisory Committee

52 Power to form companies etc.

Part 5--Staff

54 Staff of the SBS

55 The SBS is to achieve and maintain high standards as an employer

Part 6--Finance

56 Money to be appropriated

57 Money of the SBS

58 Application of money

59 Borrowing from the Commonwealth

60 Borrowings otherwise than from the Commonwealth

61 Guarantee of borrowing

62 The SBS may give security

63 Borrowings not otherwise permitted

64 Delegation by Finance Minister

65 Hedging contracts etc.

68 Taxation

Part 7--Miscellaneous

70 Application of Broadcasting Act

70AA Report by ACMA on degradation of signal quality

70A Broadcasting of political or controversial matter

70B Records of matter broadcast

70C Broadcasting of election advertisements

71 Broadcasting of referendum advertisements

73 Matters to be included in annual report

74 Delegation by the SBS

75 Delegation by Managing Director

76 Regulations

Part 8--Transitional

77 Interpretation

80 Persons employed or engaged by the old body corporate

81 Persons engaged under section 53

83 References to old body corporate in instruments etc.

84 Property, powers, liabilities etc.

85 Saving of proceedings

86 Judicial notice

87 Application of money

89 Bank accounts to be treated as if opened under this Act

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Endnotes

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1--About the endnotes

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

Endnote 3--Legislation history

Endnote 4--Amendment history

Abbreviation key--Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section  15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and "(md not incorp)" is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2--Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted	o = order(s)
am = amended	Ord = Ordinance
amdt = amendment	orig = original
c = clause(s)	par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x	/sub-subparagraph(s)
Ch = Chapter(s)	pres = present
def = definition(s)	prev = previous
Dict = Dictionary	(prev ... ) = previously
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament	Pt = Part(s)
Div = Division(s)	r = regulation(s)/rule(s)
ed = editorial change	reloc = relocated
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have	renum = renumbered
effect	rep = repealed
F = Federal Register of Legislation	rs = repealed and substituted
gaz = gazette	s = section(s)/subsection(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003	Sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003	Sdiv = Subdivision(s)
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given	SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
effect	SR = Statutory Rules
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment	Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
cannot be given effect	SubPt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification	underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)	commenced or to be commenced

Endnote 3--Legislation history

 

Act	Number and year	Assent	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991	180, 1991	25 Nov 1991	s 54: 24 Mar 1994 (s 2(2) and gaz 1994, No GN10) Remainder: 23 Dec 1991 (s 2(1))
Broadcasting Services (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992	105, 1992	9 July 1992	5 Oct 1992 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1992, No. GN38)	--
Sales Tax Amendment (Transitional) Act 1992	118, 1992	30 Sept 1992	28 Oct 1992	--
Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992	167, 1992	11 Dec 1992	1 July 1993	--
Transport and Communications Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1992	216, 1992	24 Dec 1992	s 34 and 35: 24 Dec 1992 (s 2(1))	--
Communications and the Arts Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1995	32, 1995	12 Apr 1995	Sch (item 122): 12 Apr 1995 (s 2(1))	--
Telecommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1997	59, 1997	3 May 1997	Sch 1 (items 49, 50): 1 July 1997 (s 2(2)(d))	--
Audit (Transitional and Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 1997	152, 1997	24 Oct 1997	Sch 2 (items 1207-1218): 1 Jan 1998 (s 2(2))	--
National Transmission Network Sale (Consequential Amendments) Act 1998	131, 1998	21 Dec 1998	21 Dec 1998	s 4
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Sch 1 (items 826, 827): 5 Dec 1999 (s 2(1), (2))	--
Corporate Law Economic Reform Program Act 1999	156, 1999	24 Nov 1999	Sch 10 (items 119-121): 13 Mar 2000 (s 2(2)(c) and gaz 2000, No S114)	--
Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Act 2001	23, 2001	6 Apr 2001	6 Apr 2001	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2002	63, 2002	3 July 2002	Sch 1 (item 29): 23 Dec 1991 (s 2(1) item 23)	--
Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Act 2005	8, 2005	22 Feb 2005	Sch 2 (items 162-168, 174): Royal Assent	Sch 2 (item 174)
Australian Communications and Media Authority (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005	45, 2005	1 Apr 2005	Sch 1 (items 124-126) and Sch 4: 1 July 2005 (s 2(1) items 2, 10) Sch 2: 1 July 2005 (s 2(1) item 3)	Sch 4
as amended by
Omnibus Repeal Day (Autumn 2014) Act 2014	109, 2014	16 Oct 2014	Sch 2 (items 177-181): 17 Oct 2014 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Tax Laws Amendment (Repeal of Inoperative Provisions) Act 2006	101, 2006	14 Sept 2006	Sch 5 (item 138) and Sch 6 (items 5-11): Royal Assent	Sch 6 (items 5-11)
Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Amendment Act 2008	20, 2008	26 May 2008	Sch 2 (item 8): 1 July 2008	--
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Sch 2 (items 1060-1066) and Sch 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011	Sch 3 (items 10, 11)
National Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Act 2012	112, 2012	24 July 2012	Sch 1 (items 18-30): 24 Nov 2012 (F2012L02226)	Sch 1 (item 30)
Statute Law Revision Act 2012	136, 2012	22 Sept 2012	Sch 1 (item 119) and Sch 6 (items 70-72): Royal Assent	Sch 6 (item 72)
Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Convergence Review and Other Measures) Act 2013	29, 2013	30 Mar 2013	Sch 1 (items 15-17, 36-49): 31 Mar 2013	Sch 1 (item 17)
Statute Law Revision Act (No. 1) 2014	31, 2014	27 May 2014	Sch 4 (item 91): 24 June 2014	--
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014	62, 2014	30 June 2014	Sch 12 (items 137-157) and Sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14)	Sch 14
as amended by
Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015	36, 2015	13 Apr 2015	Sch 2 (items 7-9) and Sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2)	Sch 7
as amended by
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	Sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Omnibus Repeal Day (Autumn 2014) Act 2014	109, 2014	16 Oct 2014	Sch 2 (items 144, 145, 161, 237-242): 17 Oct 2014 (s 2(1) item 2)	Sch 2 (item 161)
Electoral and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017	99, 2017	14 Sept 2017	Sch 1 (items 63-68): 14 Mar 2018 (s 2(1) item 2)	--
Communications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation and Other Measures) Act 2019	120, 2019	12 Dec 2019	Sch 4 (items 6-18): 12 Dec 2019 (s 2(1) item 1)	--
Electoral Legislation Amendment (Authorisations) Act 2022	4, 2022	17 Feb 2022	Sch 1 (items 12-15): 18 Feb 2022 (s 2(1) item 1)	Sch 1 (item 15)
Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Act 2023	11, 2023	27 Mar 2023	Sch 9 (items 7-9): 27 Mar 2023 (s 2(1) item 1)	Sch 9 (item 9)
Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Act 2023	74, 2023	20 Sept 2023	Sch 5 (items 22, 23): 18 Oct 2023 (s 2(1) item 3)	--

Endnote 4--Amendment history

 

Provision affected	How affected
Part 1
s. 3.....................	am. No. 167, 1992; No. 131, 1998; No. 23, 2001; Nos. 8 and 45, 2005; No. 112, 2012; No.  29, 2013; No 62, 2014; No 120, 2019
s. 3A....................	ad. No. 29, 2013
	am No 120, 2019
Part 2
s 5.....................	am. No. 152, 1997; No 62, 2014
s. 6.....................	am. No. 105, 1992; No. 29, 2013; No 120, 2019
s. 6A....................	ad. No. 23, 2001
s. 8.....................	am. No. 112, 2012
s. 10....................	am. No. 105, 1992; No. 23, 2001; No. 45, 2005
s. 11....................	am. No. 29, 2013
s. 12....................	am. No. 29, 2013; No 31, 2014
s. 13....................	am. No. 152, 1997; No. 20, 2008; No 62, 2014
Part 3
Division 1
s. 17....................	am. No. 112, 2012; No. 29, 2013
s. 18....................	am. No. 112, 2012
s. 21....................	am. No. 112, 2012
s. 24....................	am. No. 46, 2011
s. 27....................	am. No. 152, 1997; No. 156, 1999; No 62, 2014
Division 2
s. 33....................	am. No. 46, 2011
s. 34....................	am. No. 146, 1999
s 36....................	am No 62, 2014
s. 37....................	am. No. 152, 1997; No. 156, 1999; No 62, 2014
Division 3
s. 40....................	am. No. 152, 1997; No. 156, 1999; No 62, 2014
Part 3A
Part 3A..................	ad. No. 112, 2012
s. 43....................	rep. No. 152, 1997
	ad. No. 112, 2012
	am No 109, 2014
s. 43A...................	ad. No. 112, 2012
s. 43B...................	ad. No. 112, 2012
s. 43C...................	ad. No. 112, 2012
	am No 62, 2014
Part 4
s. 44....................	am. No. 131, 1998; No 120, 2019
s 45....................	am No 105, 1992; No 216, 1992; No 29, 2013; No 62, 2014; No 11, 2023
s. 45A...................	ad. No. 29, 2013
	am No 62, 2014
s 47....................	rep No 62, 2014
s 48....................	am No 62, 2014
s 49....................	rep No 62, 2014
s 51....................	rep No 62, 2014
s. 52....................	am. No. 152, 1997; No 62, 2014
Part 5
s 53....................	exp 24 Mar 1994 (s 53(3))
	am No 63, 2002
	rep No 74, 2023
Part 6
s. 56....................	am. No. 8, 2005
s 58....................	am No 152, 1997; No 62, 2014; No 74, 2023
s 59....................	am. No. 8, 2005
s 60....................	am. No. 8, 2005
s 61....................	am. No. 8, 2005
s. 64....................	rs. No. 8, 2005
	am No 62, 2014
s. 66....................	rep. No. 152, 1997
s. 67....................	rep. No. 32, 1995
s. 68....................	am. No. 118, 1992; No. 101, 2006
s. 69....................	rep. No. 152, 1997
Part 7
s 70....................	am No 105, 1992
s 70AA..................	ad No 131, 1998
	am No 45, 2005
s 70A...................	ad No 105, 1992
	am No 45, 2005; No 136, 2012; No 99, 2017; No 120, 2019; No 4, 2022
s 70B...................	ad No 105, 1992
s 70C...................	ad No 216, 1992
	am No 120, 2019
s 71....................	rep No 131, 1998
	ad No 11, 2023
s 72....................	am No 59, 1997
	rep No 131, 1998
s 73....................	am No 152, 1997; No 131, 1998; No 29, 2013; No 62, 2014
Part 8
s 78....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 79....................	rep No 109, 2014
s. 81....................	am. No. 146, 1999
s 82....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 85....................	am No 109, 2014
s 88....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 89....................	am No 109, 2014
s 90....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 91....................	rep No 109, 2014
s 92....................	rep No 109, 2014
Part 9...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 93....................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 94....................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 95....................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 96....................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 97....................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 98....................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 99....................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 100...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 101...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 102...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 103...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 104...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 105...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 106...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 107...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 108...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 109...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 110...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 111...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 112...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 113...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 114...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 115...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
Part 10..................	rep. No. 136, 2012
s. 116...................	rep. No. 136, 2012
Schedule.................	rep. No. 136, 2012