Telemarketers are now banned by law from selling financial services products on all national public holidays and Sundays.
The extended ban, which took effect today, outlaws calls on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Australia Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Anzac Day.
Previously, only Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday were off limits. Hawking on Sundays has been banned since last November.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, Senator Ian Campbell, said the tighter rules were part of the new Financial Services Reform Act.
"The changes reflect the general thrust of the legislation - that is, to put in place a uniform licensing, disclosure and conduct regime to ensure consumers get advice from people who are properly trained and supervised and their rights to privacy from unsolicited sales calls," he said.
"The direct marketing industry recognises the need to strike a fair balance between its own interests and the community's expectation to be insulated from phone hawkers on certain days of the year."
He said telemarketers of non-financial products were still free to call on all public holidays except Christmas Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday, however this was being examined under a general review of the industry by the Commonwealth and States through the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs. The findings were likely to be announced in May.
Senator Campbell said telemarketers were permitted to call only between 8am and 9pm, irrespective of what product or service they were selling.
Anyone who did not want to receive any calls could contact the Australian Direct Marketing Association on 1800 646 664 or www.adma.com.au and be placed on a national register.
PERTH
11 March 2003
Contact: Wayne Grant 08 9421 1755 or 0407 845280