(1) The ACMA must not grant a carrier licence unless it has consulted the Communications Access Co - ordinator about the licence application.
(2) Within 15 business days after the date on which the ACMA received the licence application, the Communications Access Co - ordinator may give a written notice to the ACMA, stating that the Communications Access Co - ordinator does not require any further consultation about the application. 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 the Communications Access Co - ordinator.
(3) Within 15 business days after the date on which the ACMA received the licence application, the Communications Access Co - ordinator 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, the Communications Access Co - ordinator cannot give such a notice if the Communications Access Co - ordinator 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, the Communications Access Co - ordinator 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) The Communications Access Co - ordinator may, by notice in writing to the ACMA, revoke a notice under subsection (3) or (4).
(6) The Communications Access Co - ordinator cannot issue a further notice under subsection (3) or (4) in respect of the application after it has revoked such a notice.
(7) The ACMA must give the applicant a copy of each notice that the ACMA receives from the Communications Access Co - ordinator 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).
"business day" means a day on which the ACMA is open for business in the
Australian Capital Territory and in Victoria.