Do Not Call Register: Peace for your Phone
Late 2006, the Australian government created the "Do Not Call Register Act of 2006". As part of the act, Australians can now register their home and mobile numbers to no longer receive telemarketing calls.
Telemarketers are to check any number they call against the register and not call those on the list. Failure to comply with this will lead to penalties should complaints be lodged. The government will even attempt to apply penalties to those who call from outside Australia, although this may not always be possible.
Unfortunately, the register is not a complete block against all invasive calls. Those who are exempt from having to check the register include political parties (no surprise there :), religious organisations, charities and market researchers.
So, it's not perfect but at least it is a step in the right direction.
Numbers can be added to the register over the Internet via the "Do Not Call Register" home page. On the first day that this service was made available, the site collapsed under the strain of people rushing to register. It now seems to be working correctly and we urge people to make use of it.
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