Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Amendment Determination 2024 (No. 1), made under the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999, be disallowed [F2024L01353].

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement for one minute.

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government does not support the motion. Telcos made a commercial decision to switch over their 3G networks. The overriding concern throughout the 3G switchover process has been to protect public safety. Everyone using a mobile phone in Australia should have confidence that their device is able to call triple 0 in an emergency. That's why the Minister for Communications directed ACMA to amend the ECS determination to require service providers to identify mobile phones that are unable to access triple 0, notify the user and cease providing a service to the effective device.

Consumers were notified multiple times in a variety of ways by their mobile operator about the need to upgrade. Australians will continue to have a wide variety of handset options that they can purchase through their telco or from a third-party vendor. As such, the government opposes this motion.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a one-minute statement.

Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Roberts's motion highlights the chaos that this government's handling of the 3G shutdown has brought about. In late October, thousands of 4G phones were deactivated because the communications minister ordered telcos to do so without public notice. A late October determination required telcos to identify phones unable to access triple 0 and cut off service, but no public warnings were issued. This left phone owners unprepared and frustrated.

The government, warned about 4G connectivity issues last year, has struggled with this transition, shifting blame to the telcos. The 3G shutdown is necessary, but the process was poorly managed, impacting many, many Australians. While we understand what's prompted this motion, it's not practical to undo the 3G transition, which is why the coalition will not be supporting this disallowance.

Question negatived.