Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to present this petition on behalf of 921 citizens led by residents of my electorate of Cook. The petition has been through the appropriate process through the Petitions Committee and has been certified by that committee. The petition relates to matters involving telecommunications carriers and the erection of towers, which, as members, we're all very familiar with in dealing with those issues in our communities. I present this petition as the member for Cook, not in my other capacity as the Treasurer. As my constituents in Southern Sydney would know, the issues that are dear to them always remain dear to me. I'm happy to perform this duty on their behalf. I thereby table the petition.

The petition read as follows—

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in Parliament:

This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws the attention of the House to the issue of Telecommunications Carriers, having the flexibility (subject to community consultation) under the current Telecommunications' Act 1997, to install mobile phone base stations in pure residential locations on existing Telegraph or power poles, with no set specified distance of separation from residential homes. State Planning laws classify this as Exempt Development, Local Councils have no approval role here and the visual impact of residents, and the health and well-being interests of local communities are not respected by Carriers and are largely ignored.

We therefore ask the House to ensure that Telecommunications Carriers are not able to install mobile phone base stations on existing telegraph or power poles in residential areas, without Local Council approval. This can be achieved by Amending Schedule 3 and the Telecommunications (Low-Impact Facilities) Determination, of the Telecommunications Act (1997) - both of which will close this loophole.

from 921 citizens

Petition received.

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