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

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Tuesday 7 October 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Communications introduced legislation to establish a statutory Triple Zero Custodian and enhance regulatory powers for the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The bill aims to improve the resilience of emergency call services following recent outages by major telecommunications carriers. It mandates real-time reporting of outages and allows for the issuance of directions to carriers during emergencies. The debate concluded with the bill being commended to the House, with no opposition speeches recorded in the provided transcript.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned after the Minister commended the bill to the House.

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2. Wednesday 8 October 2025 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate focused on amendments to the bill aimed at enhancing the protection and transparency of the triple 0 emergency call network. The opposition moved amendments to classify the network as critical infrastructure, increase penalties for breaches, mandate public registers of outages, and require more frequent reporting. Another set of amendments sought to ensure the Triple Zero Custodian specifically addresses connectivity deficiencies in rural, regional, and remote areas. The government opposed all amendments, citing ongoing discussions and the existing mandate of the Custodian. Both sets of amendments were defeated in divisions.

   Outcome: Both sets of amendments were defeated in divisions, with the first set failing 44-86 and the second failing 44-84.

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3. Wednesday 8 October 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on the government's response to the September 2025 Optus outage, which prevented emergency calls and resulted in four deaths. The government argued the bill establishes a Triple Zero Custodian and strengthens ACMA powers to prevent future failures. Opposition and independent members criticised the rushed timeline, the lack of an independent investigation, and the slow implementation of previous review recommendations. They also highlighted ongoing connectivity issues in regional areas and the need for disaster roaming. The bill was passed after the opposition withdrew a motion to end debate.

   Outcome: The bill was read a second time after the opposition withdrew a motion to end debate.

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4. Wednesday 8 October 2025 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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5. Monday 27 October 2025 · Senate

   First Reading
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6. Monday 27 October 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Senate debated legislation to establish a statutory Triple Zero Custodian and enhance Australian Communications and Media Authority powers following a fatal Optus network outage. The government argued the bill was necessary to restore public trust and ensure emergency call resilience, while the Coalition and Greens criticised the delay in implementation and called for stronger penalties and transparency. The Coalition moved amendments to create a public outage register, shorten reporting periods, and increase fines, while Greens senators advocated for criminal penalties and public ownership of essential services.

   Outcome: The debate concluded with the Senate transcript published up to 12:05, with the remainder to be published progressively.

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7. Tuesday 28 October 2025 · Senate

   In Committee

   The Senate considered amendments to the bill during committee stage. The Coalition moved amendments to increase civil penalties to $40 million and require public tabling of ACMA reports, arguing for greater transparency and accountability following major network outages. The Government, represented by Assistant Minister Nita Green, opposed these amendments, stating that penalties had already been tripled via a Greens amendment and that existing reporting provisions were sufficient. Green confirmed that telcos would maintain public outage registers by the end of the year but declined to table a ministerial letter regarding the register's implementation. All Coalition amendments were defeated.

   Outcome: All four divisions on the amendments were lost, with votes of 27-32 and 28-33.

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8. Tuesday 28 October 2025 · Senate

   Third Reading
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