(1) The ACMA must not grant a carrier licence unless it has consulted a Communications Access Coordinator about the licence application.
(2) Within 15 business days after the date on which the ACMA received the licence application, a Communications Access Coordinator may give a written notice to the ACMA, stating that no further consultation about the application is required. The notice cannot be revoked.
Note: Under section 53A, the application is treated as not being received by the ACMA until a copy has been received by a Communications Access Coordinator.
(3) Within 15 business days after the date on which the ACMA received the licence application, a Communications Access Coordinator may give a written notice to the ACMA:
(a) stating that, while the notice remains in force, the ACMA must not grant the carrier licence; and
(b) specifying the period during which the notice remains in force (unless earlier revoked), which period cannot end more than 3 months after the date of the notice.
However, a Communications Access Coordinator cannot give such a notice if a Communications Access Coordinator has earlier given a notice under subsection (2) in relation to the application.
(4) At any time while a notice is in force under subsection (3), or under this subsection, a Communications Access Coordinator may give a further written notice to the ACMA:
(a) stating that, while the notice remains in force, the ACMA must not grant the carrier licence; and
(b) specifying the period during which the notice remains in force (unless earlier revoked), which period cannot end more than 3 months after the date of the notice or more than 12 months after the date of the notice under subsection (3).
(5) A Communications Access Coordinator may, by notice in writing to the ACMA, revoke a notice under subsection (3) or (4).
(6) A Communications Access Coordinator cannot issue a further notice under subsection (3) or (4) in respect of the application after a Communications Access Coordinator has revoked such a notice.
(7) The ACMA must give the applicant a copy of each notice that the ACMA receives from a Communications Access Coordinator under subsection (3), (4) or (5).
(8) The ACMA must not grant the carrier licence while a notice is in force under subsection (3) or (4).
(9) In this section:
"business day" means a day on which the ACMA is open for business in the Australian Capital Territory and in Victoria.