Telemarketers who call people whose names are on a do not call register may face penalties under proposals being considered by the Minister for Communications, Senator Helen Coonan.

Senator Coonan released a discussion paper which canvasses options for a national, legislated do not call register in late October.

The Australian Direct Marketing Association has a do not call register, but it applies only to companies who are ADMA members.

In the year to June 2005, complaints about privacy to the TIO rose by 135 per cent, with the largest component (887) coming from people complaining about being telemarketed by members.