Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

The government response to the interim report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on the shutdown of 3G was tabled on Monday 19 August. The 3G shutdown has been thoroughly examined by the Senate committee, and the recommendations provided in the interim report are under active consideration by government. The government has sought to transparently support the Senate through its interim response to the committee and, indeed, through the committee process itself.

Since the committee produced its interim report, there has been an important change. Telstra and Optus had planned to switch off their 3G networks from 31 August and 1 September respectively, but have delayed that switch until 28 October 2024, which is welcomed. In addition to delaying the switch, the government notes Telstra and Optus's plan to undertake a six-week national public media campaign to give Australians a greater opportunity to be informed of the impacts to devices and to upgrade incompatible devices in time. Our key message to the public remains: all Australians should act now to check if their device could be affected after the switchover in terms of access to triple 0.

The government continues to closely monitor industry's progress to identify and inform impacted customers and ensure any public safety risk is appropriately managed. Any regulatory actions would be subject to consultation and procedural process because community safety is this government's No. 1 priority. The government encourages all Australian individuals and businesses to act now and upgrade impacted devices. Any customer on any network can text 3 to the number 3498 for an automatic response on whether or not their mobile phone is impacted, and I urge senators to take steps to communicate this important message to their constituencies.