Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025
Ms WELLS (Lilley—Minister for Sport and Minister for Communications) (09:51): I'll begin by acknowledging the amendments put forward by the member for Indi. I thank her for her good-faith engagement with this legislation, which I know is so important for the people in her electorate. The member for Indi's amendments go to the definition of equitable including the need for affordable mobile services and the regulation of temporary disaster roaming.
The government recognises the importance of these issues, but it considers that there are a range of powers in the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 that would achieve similar outcomes and that ultimately the amendments are not necessary. I turn first to amendments (1), (4) and (5), which deal with equitable access and affordability.
The proposed amendments seek to define equitable access as it relates to affordability and access to devices. Whilst these issues are clearly important to whether a service is being provided on an equitable basis, there are other matters that also go to this issue—for example, geographic coverage—to ensure there is no discrimination in the provision of services.
The government is concerned that applying a prescriptive definition may limit the government's ability to intervene in the event that industry does not deliver in the public interest and may inadvertently have some unanticipated consequences. For example, it could be read to say it would require all mobile services to be affordable to all people, which may have a significant impact on the commercial provision of mobile services.
To ensure that the needs of vulnerable or low-income users can be addressed, the standard powers created by the bill could deliver assistance in a more targeted way if industry does not provide appropriate products and services. On amendment (6), which relates to standard-making powers, the government agrees that it is important that the minister has the power to set standards for the delivery of UOMO services in the event that industry does not meet community expectations.
However, the addition to section 12R that the member has proposed is not required, as section 12Q of the bill allows the minister to determine standards including in relation to performance, reliability and fault rectification timeframes. The proposed amendment to section 12R would not support the setting of standards in this manner, because section 12R deals with performance benchmarks made in relation to standards determined under section 12Q, rather than creating overarching standards.
Turning to temporary disaster roaming, which is dealt with by amendments (2) and (7), I note that mobile operators have made solid progress in recent months with a TDR capability that will commence from October this year ahead of the high-risk weather season. TDR is an industry led initiative. It will provide an additional tool to help keep people online during natural disasters.
It is certainly not a silver-bullet solution. If needed, the government has existing powers that could be drawn on if a regulatory option is required, so this change is not required. For these reasons, the government will not be supporting these amendments from the member for Indi, but I do again thank her for her good-faith engagement on behalf of her people, and I look forward to engaging with her further in relation to these standards, which I do intend to make under this legislation.
Question negatived. Bill, as amended, agreed to.