Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

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

1. Thursday 27 November 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Communications introduced legislation to establish a Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation, requiring national mobile operators to provide baseline voice and SMS coverage across Australia. The bill leverages emerging Low Earth Orbit satellite technology to extend connectivity to remote areas currently outside terrestrial network range. It aims to improve public safety by ensuring access to emergency services in regions where traditional mobile coverage is unavailable. The legislation sets a default commencement date of 1 December 2027 but allows for flexibility based on market readiness. No other members spoke during the session, and the debate was adjourned.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned.

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2. Monday 2 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centered on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025, which proposed establishing a universal outdoor mobile obligation for voice and SMS services using direct-to-device satellite technology. Labor members supported the bill as essential for safety, equity, and closing the digital divide in remote areas, while opposition members criticized vague definitions, potential costs, and the government's past telecommunications failures. Independent members supported the legislation but moved amendments to address affordability, disaster roaming, and transparency. The debate was interrupted before a final vote was recorded.

   Outcome: The debate was interrupted before a conclusion was reached.

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3. Wednesday 11 March 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025, which aimed to establish a universal outdoor mobile obligation for voice and SMS coverage in remote and regional Australia. Labor members supported the bill as a necessary modernisation to address safety risks and market failures, while the Greens supported it in the House but reserved their Senate position due to concerns over Telstra's monopoly. Opposition and crossbench members acknowledged the goal of improved connectivity but criticised the legislation for relying on undeveloped satellite technology, lacking enforceable standards, and ignoring device compatibility issues. The discussion concluded with members moving amendments to strengthen consumer protections and ensure affordability, though the final vote outcome was not recorded.

   Outcome: Debate adjourned.

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4. Thursday 28 May 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on establishing a universal outdoor mobile obligation to ensure baseline mobile coverage, particularly for emergency services, across Australia. The government argued the bill modernises an outdated framework by incorporating mobile services and leveraging new satellite technology. Opposition members supported the principle but criticised the bill for failing to extend regulatory obligations to existing mobile infrastructure and called for greater scrutiny. Speakers highlighted coverage gaps in both rural areas and urban centres, emphasising the safety risks of unreliable connectivity.

   Outcome: The transcript does not state the final result of the vote.

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5. Tuesday 11 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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6. Tuesday 11 August 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate focused on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025, which aims to strengthen consumer protections and enforcement powers for telecommunications providers. The sole speaker, Mary Aldred, supported the bill's provisions for increased penalties and ACMA oversight but used the opportunity to highlight persistent mobile black spots in regional Victoria. She argued that reliable connectivity is a critical safety and infrastructure issue, citing specific examples of service failures during emergencies. The debate concluded with the coalition's support for the legislation.

   Outcome: The bill was supported by the coalition, with no other speakers recorded in the provided transcript.

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7. Wednesday 9 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Report from Federation Chamber
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8. Wednesday 9 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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9. Wednesday 9 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate focused on amendments moved by the member for Indi to strengthen the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation framework. The government supported an amendment requiring transparency statements when ministerial powers to exclude coverage are used. However, the government opposed further amendments seeking to define equitable access in terms of affordability and device compatibility, and those mandating temporary disaster roaming, arguing existing powers and industry initiatives were sufficient. The bill was passed with the supported amendment incorporated.

   Outcome: The bill, as amended, was agreed to.

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