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

Opened the debate

Wells argued that the bill was necessary to restore public trust in the triple 0 emergency service system after repeated failures by telecommunications carriers, particularly Optus. The member stated that the legislation would cement the powers of the Triple Zero Custodian into law and equip the Australian Communications and Media Authority with targeted enforcement capabilities. Wells highlighted that the bill requires carriers to provide real-time outage reporting and test emergency call functionality during network upgrades. The member emphasised that while the custodian provides oversight, telecommunications companies remain legally obligated to ensure reliable access to emergency services.

Government response

Wells detailed how Schedule 1 of the bill amends existing telecommunications law to place the custodian on a statutory footing and allow the Australian Communications and Media Authority to issue directions to carriers. The minister explained that these powers enable the gathering of critical information during outages and the implementation of restoration plans. Wells noted that the bill includes provisions for regular reporting to the minister and an assessment of how well the custodian performs after two years. The member concluded by reiterating that the government would hold carriers accountable for failures and that there were no excuses for compromising emergency service reliability.