Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Triple Zero Custodian and Emergency Calling Powers) Bill 2025

Senator SHOEBRIDGE (New South Wales) (13:15): Thank you, Minister. I do understand that you may need to go beyond the advisers sitting next to you to get those answers. We would appreciate those being provided if this debate continues after 1.30.

One of the concerns that has been raised is that recently we have seen the 3G network turned off, and providers like Vodafone and others are not working with firmware, so when emergency calls are being made on the Vodafone network, they are being routed through the 3G network which has been turned off by Vodafone. Minister, I don't know if you or your advisers are aware of those incidents where people's triple 0 calls—it's happened in the last few days—have been routed through a now defunct, turned off 3G network.

I know this has happened on the Vodafone network. Are you aware of those concerns? Are you aware if it impacts other networks?

Is it an obligation of the carriers to ensure that their customers remain connected to the triple 0 network? If so, will this bill impact on those kinds of obligations? I just want to be clear.

The circumstances are that they've turned off their 3G network. The default on people's phones, when they're on the Vodafone network, has been to call via the 3G network, but the 3G network has been turned off, so their calls are going nowhere. Is the government aware of these concerns?

Will failures like that be picked up by this bill?