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Post and Telecommunication Corporation (Corporatisation) Act 1996

PAPUA NEW GUINEA


Post and Telecommunication Corporation (Corporatisation) Act 1996.


No 55 of 1996.
Certified on: 21.01.1997


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS.

1. New Part X.

"PART X. - TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES, ETC.,
Division 1. - Preliminary.
"35. Interpretation -
"36. Corporation may incorporate companies.
Division 2. - Transfer of Assets, Rights and Liabilities to PANGTEL.
"37. Direction to transfer regulatory powers and functions to PANGTEL.
"38. Allocation statement (PANGTEL).
"39. Transfer of employees.
"40. Consideration (PANGTEL).
"41. Tax and duties.
Division 3. - Transfer of Assets, Rights and Liabilities to Post PNG.
"42. Direction to transfer business undertaking, etc„ to Post PNG.
"43. Allocation statement (Post PNG).
"44. Transfer of employees.
"45. Consideration (Post PNG).
"46. Tax and duties.
Division 4. - Transfer of Assets, Rights and Liabilities to Telikom.
"47. Direction to transfer business undertaking to Telikom.
"48. Allocation statement (Telikom).
"49. Transfer of employees.
"50. Consideration (Telikom).
"51. Tax and duties.
Division 5. - Effects of Transfers under this Part and Repeal.
"52. Effects of transfers under this Part.
"53. Repeal.
"54. Savings.
"55. Difficulties with provisions of this Part.".

AN ACT

entitled

Post and Telecommunication Corporation (Corporatisation) Act 1996,

Being an Act to amend the Post and Telecommunication Corporation Act (Chapter 394) to provide for -

(a) the corporatisation of the Corporation; and
(b) the transfer of the assets, rights and liabilities, etc., of the Corporation to a regulatory authority and two corporate bodies; and
(c) the subsequent repeal of the Post and Telecommunication Corporation Act (Chapter 394),

and for related purposes,

MADE by the National Parliament to come into operation in accordance with a notice in the National Gazette by the Head of State, acting with, and in accordance with, the advice of the Minister.

  1. NEW PART X.

The Principal Act is amended by adding the following new Part:-

"PART X. - TRANSFER OF ASSETS, RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES, ETC.,
Division 1. - Preliminary.
"35. INTERPRETATION.
In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears -
"36. CORPORATION MAY INCORPORATE COMPANIES.
For the purposes of this Part, the Corporation may incorporate or cause to be incorporated under the Companies Act (Chapter 146) -
Division 2. - Transfer of Assets, Rights and Liabilities to PANGTEL.
"37. DIRECTION TO TRANSFER REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS TO PANGTEL.
"(1) The Minister shall, by direction published in the National Gazette direct that the regulatory powers and functions of the Corporation relating to telecommunications and radio communications be transferred to PANGTEL, upon the consideration (PANGTEL) as is specified in the Direction (PANGTEL) on a date, the Transfer Date (PANGTEL) as is specified in the Direction (PANGTEL).
"(2) The transfer under this section of assets, rights and liabilities relating to the regulatory powers and functions relating to telecommunications and radio communications is to take place at a value or values specified in the Direction (PANGTEL).
"(3) On the Transfer Date (PANGTEL), the following provisions have effect (subject to the Direction (PANGTEL) -
"(4) The operation of this section is not to be regarded -
"(5) No attornment to PANGTEL by a lessee from the Corporation is required.
"(6) Where, pursuant to this section the rights and liabilities of the Corporation under an agreement are allocated to PANGTEL -
"(7) Any register maintained under any Act on which any property specified in the allocation statement (PANGTEL) is registered in the name of the Corporation, or a subsidiary of the Corporation, or is to be transferred to the Corporation is deemed to be amended as from the Transfer Date (PANGTEL) by substituting PANGTEL for the Corporation or for the subsidiary of the Corporation.
"(8) Without limiting the generality of Subsection (7) -
"(9) Without limiting the generality of this section, the Direction (PANGTEL) may include provisions for cross indemnities between Telikom, Post PNG and PANGTEL relating to actions, arbitrations and proceedings accrued or pending against or for the Corporation at the Transfer Date (PANGTEL).
"38. ALLOCATION STATEMENT (PANGTEL).
(1) For the purposes of the transfer under Section 37, the Minister shall prepare for inclusion in the Direction (PANGTEL) an allocation statement (PANGTEL) specifying the assets, rights and liabilities of the Corporation relating to the regulatory powers and functions relating to telecommunications and radio communications.
(2) The allocation statement (PANGTEL) shall also specify those employees of the Corporation to be transferred to PANGTEL.
(3) The Minister may, at any time prior to the Transfer Date (PANGTEL) or within 12 months after the Transfer Date (PANGTEL), amend the allocation statement (PANGTEL) and the allocation statement (PANGTEL) so amended becomes the allocation statement (PANGTEL).
"39. TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEES.
(1) Each employee of the Corporation specified in the allocation statement (PANGTEL) shall, as from the Transfer Date (PANGTEL), be employed by PANGTEL on the same terms and conditions on which he was employed by the Corporation immediately before the Transfer Date (PANGTEL).
(2) Each employee to whom Subsection (1) refers shall be deemed to have accrued entitlement to benefits in his employment with PANGTEL equivalent to the benefits which he had accrued immediately prior to the Transfer Date (PANGTEL).
(3) The transfer of employment under this Act shall not be, and shall not be taken to be a breach of any contract of any employment or shall not interrupt the period of employment for employees specified in the allocation statement (PANGTEL).
(4) The consideration (PANGTEL) shall be adjusted to compensate PANGTEL for the amount of the liabilities which PANGTEL undertakes in respect of leave and other entitlements to which employees transferred under this Act were entitled at the Transfer Date (PANGTEL).
"40. CONSIDERATION (PANGTEL).
In determining the consideration (PANGTEL) the assets and liabilities shall be valued at the net book value recorded in the books of the Corporation as at the Transfer Date (PANGTEL).
"41. TAX AND DUTIES.
(1) For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 1959, PANGTEL shall be deemed to have acquired the assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement (PANGTEL) at a value equal to their written-down book value in the books of the Corporation as at the Transfer Date (PANGTEL).
(2) PANGTEL shall be entitled to tax depreciation and to any other applicable tax deduction in respect of assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement (PANGTEL) as if PANGTEL had owned such assets, rights and liabilities since such assets, rights and liabilities were first acquired by the Corporation.
(3) The Transfer to PANGTEL of the assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement (PANGTEL) shall be exempt from any stamp duty, fee, tax, charges or other duty payable under any Act, including without limitation, the Land Registration Act (Chapter 191).
"Division 3. - Transfer of Assets, Rights and Liabilities to Post PNG.
"42. DIRECTION TO TRANSFER BUSINESS UNDERTAKING, ETC., TO POST PNG.
(1) The Minister shall, by direction published in the National Gazette direct that the regulatory powers and functions and business undertaking of the Corporation relating to postal services be transferred to Post PNG, upon the consideration (Post PNG) as is specified in the Direction (Post PNG) on a date, the Transfer Date (Post PNG) as is specified in the Direction (Post PNG).
(2) The transfer under this section of assets, rights and liabilities relating to the regulatory powers and functions and business undertaking relating to postal services is to take place at a value or values specified in the Direction (Post PNG).
(3) On the Transfer Date (Post PNG), the following provisions have effect (subject to the Direction (Post PNG)) -
"(4) The operation of this section is not to be regarded -
"(5) No attornment to Post PNG by a lessee from the Corporation is required.
"(6) Where, pursuant to this section the rights and liabilities of the Corporation under an agreement are allocated to Post PNG -
"(7) Any register maintained under any Act on which any property specified in the allocation statement (Post PNG) is registered in the name of the Corporation, or a subsidiary of the Corporation, or to be transferred to the Corporation is deemed to be amended as from the Transfer Date (Post PNG) by substituting Post PNG for the Corporation or for the subsidiary of the Corporation.
"(8) Without limiting the generality-of Subsection (7) -
"(9) Without limiting the generality of this section, the Direction (Post PNG) may include provisions for cross indemnities between Telikom, Post PNG and PANGTEL relating to actions, arbitrations and proceedings accrued or pending against or for the Corporation at the Transfer Date (Post PNG).
"43. ALLOCATION STATEMENT (POST PNG).
(1) For the purposes of the transfer under Section 42, the Minister shall prepare for inclusion in the Direction (Post PNG) an allocation statement (Post PNG) specifying the assets, rights and liabilities of the Corporation relating to the regulatory powers and functions and business undertaking relating to postal services of the Corporation.
"(2) The allocation statement (Post PNG) shall also specify those employees of the Corporation to be transferred to Post PNG.
"(3) The Minister may, at any time prior to the Transfer Date (Post PNG) or within 12 months after the Transfer Date (Post PNG), amend the allocation statement (Post PNG) and the allocation statement (Post PNG) so amended becomes the allocation statement (Post PNG).
"44. TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEES.
(1) Each employee of the Corporation specified in the allocation statement (Post PNG) shall, as from the Transfer Date (Post PNG), be employed by Post PNG on the same terms and conditions on which he was employed by the Corporation immediately before the transfer date.
(2) Each employee to whom Subsection (1) refers shall be deemed to have accrued entitlement in his employment with Post PNG to benefits equivalent to the benefits which he or she had accrued immediately prior to the Transfer Date (Post PNG).
(3) The transfer of employment under this Act shall not be and shall not be taken to be, a breach of any contract of any employment or interrupt the period of employment for employees specified in the allocation statement (Post PNG).
(4) The consideration (Post PNG) shall be adjusted to compensate Post PNG for the amount of the liabilities which Post PNG undertakes in respect of leave and other entitlements to which employees transferred under this Act were entitled at the Transfer Date (Post PNG).
(5) An employee specified in the allocation statement (Post PNG) may opt as at the Transfer Date (Post PNG) -
"45. CONSIDERATION (POST PNG).
(1) In determining the consideration (Post PNG) the assets and liabilities shall be valued at the net book value recorded in the books of the Corporation as at the Transfer Date (Post PNG).
"(2) In consideration of the transfer of the assets, rights and liabilities in the allocation statement (Post PNG), Post PNG shall, on the Transfer Date (Post PNG), issue to the State one Kumul Share together with a number of ordinary one Kina shares in Post PNG having a value equivalent to the consideration specified in the Direction (Post PNG).
"(3) For the purposes of Subsection (2), "Kumul Share" has the meaning given to it in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Post PNG.
"46. TAX AND DUTIES.
(1) For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 1959, Post PNG shall be deemed to have acquired the assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement (Post PNG) at a value equal to their written down book value in the books of the Corporation as at the Transfer Date (Post PNG).
(2) Post PNG shall be entitled to tax depreciation and to any other applicable tax deduction in respect of assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement (Post PNG) as if Post PNG had owned such assets, rights and liabilities since such assets, rights and liabilities were first acquired by the Corporation.
(3) Shares issued to the Minister responsible for finance matters on behalf of the State shall be deemed to have been fully paid and issued for valuable consideration other than cash.
(4) The transfer to Post PNG of the assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement shall be exempt from any stamp duty, fee, tax, charges or other duty payable under any Act, including without limitation, the Land Registration Act (Chapter 191).
(5) No registration fee shall be payable in respect of the authorized capital of Post PNG, and no tax or duty shall be payable on the issue of shares, including without limitation the Kumul Share, to the Minister responsible for finance matters on behalf of the State pursuant to Section 45.
"Division 4. - Transfer of Assets, Rights and Liabilities of Telikom.
"47. DIRECTION TO TRANSFER BUSINESS UNDERTAKING TO TELIKOM.
(1) The Minister shall, by direction published in the National Gazette direct that the business undertaking of the Corporation relating to telecommunications be transferred to Telikom, upon the consideration (Telikom) as is specified in the Direction (Telikom) on a date the Transfer Date (Telikom) as is specified in the Direction (Telikom).
"(2) The transfer under this section of assets, rights and liabilities relating to telecommunications is to take place at a value or values specified in the Direction (Telikom).
"(3) On the Transfer Date (Telikom), the following provisions have effect (subject to the Direction (Telikom)) -
"(4) The operation of this section is not to be regarded -
"(5) No attornment to Telikom by a lessee from the Corporation is required.
"(6) Where, pursuant to this section the rights and liabilities of the Corporation under an agreement are allocated to Telikom -
"(7) Any register maintained under any Act on which any property specified in the allocation statement (Telikom) is registered in the name of the Corporation, or a subsidiary of the Corporation, or is to be transferred to the Corporation is deemed to be amended as from the Transfer Date (Telikom) by substituting Telikom for the Corporation or for the subsidiary of the Corporation.
"(8) Without limiting the generality of Subsection (7) -
"(9) Without limiting the generality of this section, the Direction (Telikom) may include provisions for cross indemnities between Telikom, Post PNG Limited and PANGTEL relating to actions, arbitrations and proceedings accrued or pending against or for the Corporation at the Transfer Date (Telikom).
"48. ALLOCATION STATEMENT (TELIKOM).
(1) For the purposes of the transfer under Section 47, the Minister shall prepare for inclusion in the Direction (Telikom) an allocation statement (Telikom) specifying the assets, rights and liabilities of the Corporation being the balance of assets, rights and liabilities of the Corporation after deduction of those assets, rights and liabilities included in the allocation statement (PANGTEL) and the allocation statement (Post PNG).
(2) The allocation statement (Telikom) shall also specify those employees of the Corporation to be transferred to Telikom.
(3) The Minister may, at any time prior to the Transfer Date (Telikom) or within 12 months of the Transfer Date (Telikom), amend the allocation statement (Telikom) and the allocation statement (Telikom) so amended becomes the allocation statement (Telikom).
"49. TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEES.
(1) Each employee of the Corporation specified in the allocation statement (Telikom) shall, as from the Transfer Date (Telikom), be employed by Telikom on the same terms and conditions on which he was employed by the Corporation immediately before the transfer date.
(2) Each employee to whom Subsection (1) refers shall be deemed to have accrued entitlement in his employment with Telikom to benefits equivalent to the benefits which he or she had accrued immediately prior to the Transfer Date (Telikom).
(3) The transfer of employment under this Act shall not be, and shall not be taken to be, a breach of any contract of any employment or interrupt the period of employment for employees specified in the allocation statement (Telikom).
(4) The consideration (Telikom) shall be adjusted to compensate Telikom for the amount of the liabilities which Telikom undertakes in respect of leave and other entitlements to which employees transferred under this Act were entitled at the Transfer Date (Telikom).
"(5) An employee specified in the allocation statement (Telikom) may opt as at the Transfer Date (Telikom)-
"50. CONSIDERATION (TELIKOM).
(1) In determining the consideration (Telikom) the assets and liabilities shall be valued at the net book value recorded in the books of the Corporation as at the Transfer Date (Telikom).
(2) In consideration of the transfer of assets, rights and liabilities in the allocation statement (Telikom), Telikom shall, on the Transfer Date (Telikom), issue to the State one Kumul Share together with a number of ordinary one Kina shares in Telikom having a value equivalent to the consideration specified in the Direction (Telikom).
"(3) For the purposes of Subsection (2), "Kumul Share" has the meaning given to it in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Telikom.
"51. TAX AND DUTIES.
(1) For the purposes of the Income Tax Act 1959, Telikom shall be deemed to have acquired the assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement (Telikom) at a value equal to their written down book value in the books of the Corporation as at the Transfer Date (Telikom).
(2) Telikom shall be entitled to tax depreciation and to any other applicable tax deduction in respect of assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement as if Telikom had owned such assets, rights and liabilities since such assets, rights and liabilities were first acquired by the Corporation.
(3) Shares issued to the Minister responsible for finance matters on behalf of the State shall be deemed to have been fully paid and issued for valuable consideration other than cash.
(4) The transfer to Telikom of the assets, rights and liabilities specified in the allocation statement (Telikom) shall be exempt from any stamp duty, fee, tax, charges or other duty payable under any act, including without limitation, the Land Registration Act (Chapter 191).
"(5) No registration fee shall be payable in respect of the authorized capital of Telikom, and no tax or duty shall be payable on the issue of shares, including without limitation the Kumul Share, to the Minister responsible for finance matters on behalf of the State pursuant to Section 50.
"Division 5. - Effects of Transfers under this Part and Repeal
"52. EFFECTS OF TRANSFERS UNDER THIS PART.
Subject to Section 53, on and from -
"53. REPEAL.
Where the Transfer Date (PANGTEL), the Transfer Date (Post PNG) and the Transfer Date (Telikom) -
the following Acts are repealed:-
"54. SAVINGS.
The provisions of the Acts repealed by Section 53 are saved to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Part.
"55. DIFFICULTIES WITH PROVISIONS OF THIS PART.
Where a difficulty arises in respect of the provisions of this Part, the Head of State, acting on advice, may, by Regulation -
and any such modifications or provisions made by the Head of State, acting on advice, have, and shall be deemed always to have had, the same force and effect as if they had been enacted by way of an amendment to this Part, and on publication of the Regulation in the National Gazette, this Part shall be amended accordingly.".

I hereby certify that the above is a fair print of the Post and Telecommunication Corporation (Corporatisation) Act 1996 which has been made by the National Parliament.

Clerk of the National Parliament.

I hereby certify that the Post and Telecommunication Corporation (Corporatisation) Act 1996 was made by the National Parliament on 3 October 1996.

Speaker of the National Parliament.


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