Bill Debate · Second Reading

Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Wednesday 26 March 2025

Continued from Wednesday 12 February 2025.

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Members debated the Telecommunications Amendment (Enhancing Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2025, which sought to strengthen consumer protections through a carriage service provider registration scheme and increased enforcement powers. Michael McCormack supported the legislation while highlighting regional connectivity issues, whereas David Smith argued the bill was essential for protecting consumers from poor service and high costs. Both speakers endorsed the bill's principles regarding consumer safeguards and regulatory accountability. The debate concluded with the bill commended to the House, though its passage before the election was deemed unlikely.

Outcome

The bill was commended to the House for further consideration.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay) (Liberal Party) Liberal

McIntosh stated that the Coalition supports the bill, noting it strengthens consumer safeguards by creating a provider register, enabling direct enforcement of codes, and raising maximum penalties from $250,000 to $10 million. McIntosh argued that the current two-step enforcement process allows providers to breach codes with impunity, citing issues with emergency call database accuracy and scam reporting. McIntosh highlighted that the telecommunications industry itself has called for these reforms since 2023. However, she criticised the government for prioritising the bill only on the eve of an election, suggesting it would not pass before prorogation, and contrasted this with the government's focus on the NBN public ownership bill.

Government response

Kristy McBain (Eden-Monaro) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

McBain supported the bill as a measure to place consumers at the centre of the telecommunications industry, enhancing ACMA's enforcement powers and increasing penalties to deter misconduct. McBain linked the legislation to broader government efforts, including the introduction of a universal outdoor mobile obligation and significant investments in mobile base stations and full-fibre NBN upgrades in regional areas. McBain emphasised that the reforms address high-profile incidents like the Optus outage and rising complaint numbers, ensuring telcos are held accountable for service failures. McBain also defended the government's commitment to keeping the NBN publicly owned, contrasting this with opposition rhetoric.

Opposition response

Dan Tehan (Wannon) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Tehan supported the bill's consumer safeguards but focused heavily on the government's decision to end Mobile Black Spot Program funding after 2027-28. Tehan argued that the Coalition's previous establishment of the program had delivered nearly 40 new towers in his electorate and was essential for regional connectivity. Tehan criticised the government's handling of the 3G network shutdown, claiming it reduced coverage rather than improving it. Tehan stressed the need for continued funding to ensure reliable mobile coverage for emergency services and community events in rural Victoria.

Dan Repacholi (Hunter) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Repacholi argued that the bill addresses systemic failures in the telecommunications sector, particularly regarding poor service and lack of accountability in his electorate. Repacholi highlighted the inadequacy of the current $250,000 penalty cap for large corporations and supported the increase to approximately $10 million to ensure meaningful deterrence. Repacholi detailed local experiences with outages and unresponsive providers, stating that the new registration scheme and direct enforcement powers would protect vulnerable consumers.
Anne Webster (Mallee) (National Party) Nationals mixed

Webster acknowledged the bill's worthy aims but raised concerns about mobile coverage issues in regional Australia, particularly following the 3G shutdown. Webster criticised the government for not financing mobile towers in her electorate and questioned the practicality of the proposed universal outdoor mobile obligation. Webster highlighted constituent complaints about patchy signals and the surge in Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman complaints, urging the government to guarantee the continuation of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
Mike Freelander (Macarthur) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Freelander commended the bill for improving accountability and addressing connectivity issues in his electorate, which had suffered from poor NBN rollout and infrastructure problems. Freelander praised the Minister for Communications for investing in upgrades that have improved broadband access for thousands of households and businesses. Freelander emphasised the importance of the registration scheme and direct enforcement powers in ensuring providers meet their obligations, particularly in areas with challenging terrain.
Aaron Violi (Casey) (Liberal Party) Liberal support

Violi supported the bill, noting its importance for consumer protection and emergency preparedness in his disaster-prone electorate. Violi criticised the timing of the bill's introduction, stating it was unlikely to pass before the election, and questioned why the government had waited three years to act. Violi highlighted the risks of unreliable communications during bushfires and storms, citing personal experiences and local emergency response challenges.
Matt Burnell (Spence) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Burnell argued that the bill modernises consumer protections by giving ACMA immediate enforcement powers and increasing penalties to match the profitability of telcos. Burnell referenced the Optus outage and allegations of unconscionable conduct by providers as evidence of the need for stronger safeguards. Burnell highlighted the bill's support from key stakeholders and its role in protecting vulnerable consumers, including those facing financial hardship or domestic violence.
Michael McCormack (Riverina) (National Party) Nationals support

McCormack supported the bill, particularly the registration scheme and increased penalties for non-compliant providers. McCormack emphasised the critical importance of mobile coverage in regional areas, citing economic losses for farmers and safety risks during emergencies. McCormack listed numerous black spot locations in the Riverina electorate and contrasted current government efforts with previous coalition funding for mobile towers.
David Smith (Bean) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Smith argued the bill would empower the Australian Communications and Media Authority to take immediate enforcement action against telcos breaching industry codes. Smith noted the increase in maximum penalties from $250,000 to approximately $10 million and the introduction of a carrier service provider registration scheme. Smith also highlighted complementary government measures, including new standards for supporting customers facing financial hardship or domestic violence.