Topics: Telstra outage, Moira Deeming, Fort Queenscliff
Laura Jayes: Joining me now is Shadow Communications and Digital Safety Minister, Sarah Henderson. Sarah, a few things that we still need to sort out but I thought the lessons of the past have largely been learned here as we had the updated and ongoing communication and an apology from Telstra, but what more do we need to hear from them?
Senator Henderson: Well, I think the most critical thing at the moment is that the service is restored. This is critical infrastructure and it’s very alarming to hear that people have been trapped in carriages of trains, that train lines are down, that payment systems don’t work. I am reassured, Laura, that Triple Zero does appear to be working in all but a few cases. Telstra is saying they are concerned about some calls and they have made welfare checks. But this is another reminder of how critical our communications infrastructure networks are, and we have got to hear a lot of fast explaining, both from Telstra and also from the government, in relation to the resilience of our networks. When a network goes down, we must have the backup systems in place to ensure that people’s wellbeing and safety and life are not threatened, and of course, I refer to lifesaving infrastructure in hospitals and the like. We’ve just got to know that there is the appropriate resilience in place to safeguard against something like this happening again.
Laura Jayes: What are you talking about when you say resilience? This is a massive network, things are going to happen from time to time. I think we, at one level, do need to accept that, but we cannot accept, as you say, life-saving equipment in hospitals and Triple Zero going down. As for what we know so far, were those back-up systems in place, at least for Triple Zero? The Telstra CFO said they know when calls don’t go through Triple Zero, and they then make welfare checks. I’m not sure what that means. Do you?
Senator Henderson: So, look, just on that first point, Laura, the reports are this morning that there are some emergency services, ambulance and fire brigade, that had some issues with connectivity, but they were able to use their radio backups, so look, this is a very fast-moving situation. I don’t have all information with me. It’s moving, as I say, very fast. But when we are talking about emergency infrastructure, life-saving services like our ambulance and fire and police, we need to know that there are those backups in place in relation to Triple Zero. I actually tested it myself. Now Telstra is making very clear, please do not test Triple Zero. The Triple Zero network, I understand, is working. I had a couple of failed calls this morning because obviously I needed to know if Triple Zero was working, and that appears to be rectified, but Telstra is investigating. They are in fact sending out messages to people I understand who have had a failed Triple Zero call, confirming whether they need help or not, and then doing appropriate welfare checks, so they are obviously very cognisant about the significant dangers of Triple Zero and not having access to emergency calling, which is of course continues to be a very major issue.
Laura Jayes: Yeah, look, the Telstra CFO once again said there doesn’t appear to be any malicious activity but the investigations are ongoing, so they can’t rule anything out. Barnaby Joyce suspected there may be a Chinese interference here? Does that need to be ruled out? Can we even rule that out?
Senator Henderson: Look, I’m not going to entertain any possible cause, Laura. I just don’t think that that’s appropriate for me to do so. Telstra is working to understand the cause of this outage, of course. Cyber attacks generally are a very big issue on our communications networks, but certainly the government does need to work hand in glove with Telstra to inform all Australians as to what has gone wrong, and hopefully to put in place the systems and the changes to our networks that we need to ensure that this type of thing does not happen again.
Laura Jayes: Okay, let me ask you about two quick issues that I’ve asked Jane Hume about, Moira Deeming, is she an asset to the Liberal team there in Victoria?
Senator Henderson: Laura, look, I’m not going to comment on a matter which is before the Victorian division of the Liberal Party, other than to say, and I’ve said this before, that I just thought that Moira should have apologised to Matthew Guy, and I hope this could be resolved very quickly.
Laura Jayes: Well, she apologised to her backers, who were they? In a social media post this morning. I mean, who is she actually apologising to? Does she have many backers left and isn’t that a bit rich, given she’s made an apology, but not to the one man who she might owe one to?
Senator Henderson: Laura, look, I’m not going to comment any further on this, other than to say that I believe that Moira needed to make it clear, and she needed to convey that apology to Matthew Guy, and I hope and trust that she does do that.
Laura Jayes: It’s extraordinary, the chaos that we have seen.
Senator Henderson: Laura, can I just also explain, please, just to explain where I am. I’m at Fort Queenscliff, and I’ve just been with James Paterson, and we’re fighting very hard to save Fort Queenscliff which, of course, is one of the defence estates that is up for the fire sale. So, just to explain, that we’re down here fighting the good fight, really upset about Richard Marles and Libby Coker’s decision to turn their back on our community, on our region, and on our defence heritage. So that fight is is doubling down, and the Senate inquiry into the sell-off is actually coming to Queenscliff on the 24th of August. So we’re really hoping for lots of loud voices to fight this terrible proposal.
Laura Jayes: So have you come up with an alternative plan for where to put these houses in that they would have built there?
Senator Henderson: Well, there’s no plan other than the Defence Minister, Richard Marles, is callously selling off some of our most significant defence estates in this country, including Fort Queenscliff.
Laura Jayes: But we have a housing shortage?
Senator Henderson: Well, Fort Queenscliff is a site that is one of the most historic coastal artillery sites in this country, we’re not taking that position in relation to every single site, but certainly the Coalition has made it clear that if we are elected under Angus Taylor, we will keep Fort Queenscliff and Swan Island in Commonwealth hands. We are not going to stand by and allow this precious defence estate and this very significant part of our history to be sold off by the Albanese government.
Laura Jayes: Okay, so how do you distinguish between defence land that should be sold off and shouldn’t? Is it just how passionate local constituents are, whether it’s a marginal seat? What’s the criteria?
Senator Henderson: No, James Paterson and the Coalition, we’ve made it very clear that when it comes to significant defence sites like the Victoria Barracks, like Fort Queenscliff, with an
Laura Jayes: What’s an insignificant one that you’re happy to sell off then?
Senator Henderson: I’m not saying that, Laura, I’m just making it very clear that in relation to some particular sites of very significant defence history, and we haven’t provided a list, there is a Senate inquiry underway. We are saying this is unacceptable. We will not stand by and allow these precious parts of our defence history and heritage to be sold off, and we have made a very definitive commitment in relation to Fort Queenscliff and Swan Island that they will remain in Commonwealth hands if we are elected.
Laura Jayes: Okay, quick comment on the podcast issue, I’ll give you that one.
Senator Henderson: The one line apology from the Prime Minister is woefully inadequate. The Prime Minister – it is just so embarrassing. This story has now gone global. It is making headlines around the world. He has shown gross disrespect to women, he has embarrassed Australians, and he has embarrassed our country. A one line apology is just not sufficient, Laura. The Prime Minister needs to apologise to all women that were caught up in this very sordid saga, including the Japanese Prime Minister, and we need a full explanation from this Prime Minister. He’s tried to sweep it onto the under the carpet, it’s just a disgrace and not good enough.
Laura Jayes: Okay, Sarah Henderson, thanks so much for your time.