STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms KARA COOK (Bonner) (16:10): This morning Australians woke to the devastating news of another woman murdered on the Gold Coast. She is the 34th Australian woman killed this year. Violence against women is a national scourge, and safety must be front of mind when considering legislation and policy implementation.

That is why I want to draw attention to the national rollout of AusAlert and the national test on 27th July. This is a new national emergency warning system that will help keep Australians informed and safe when it matters most. AusAlert will allow emergency services to send urgent warnings directly to compatible mobile phones in a specific area, helping people receive important information quickly during emergencies.

The national test on Monday 27 July at 2 pm Queensland time will mean that some people will receive an unexpected alert that is a siren alarm sound and may raise safety concerns, including victims and survivors of domestic and family violence, particularly those with hidden phones or devices. Some critical alerts may even sound when devices are on silent or set to do not disturb.

If receiving an alert could place someone at risk, they are encouraged to plan ahead of the national test by seeking advice from a domestic-violence support service or visiting the AusAlert website. If you are concerned about your safety, please contact DVA connect, 1800RESPECT, Brisbane Domestic Violence Service or a local provider near you.