Topics: Senate inquiry into the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation Bill, regional connectivity, NDIS
Kieran Gilbert: Let’s look at this issue of telecommunications services for the bush. Joining me is Shadow Communications Minister, Sarah Henderson. You’ve come out of a Senate committee today, it relates to the government’s telecommunications legislation on universal obligations. Basically, if you’re in the bush, somewhere remote, your phone carrier isn’t supplying to that area, you should be able to go onto another carrier if needed and in emergencies like that. What’s happening on that front?
Senator Henderson: Well Kieran, we have a Senate inquiry hearing today into the government’s, frankly, very flawed bill into universal outdoor mobile coverage. The government is promising big but, as we’ve seen today, the bill is very short on delivery. So they’re relying on satellite-to-device technology which currently doesn’t exist. There are some negotiations between Telstra and Starlink to deliver that sort of technology. But we are asking the questions – why has the government abandoned regional Australians by cutting the Mobile Black Spots Program which drove more than 1000 mobile towers right across regional Australia under the Coalition. And it’s also turned its back on mandatory domestic mobile roaming. So if you are in a part of regional Australia where you have no connection whatsoever but there’s a tower down the road with another carrier, you should be able to roam onto that carrier’s network. That is not mandated and we’ve heard very extensive evidence today saying it should be. And it’s just another example where the minister, Anika Wells. is talking big – big headlines – but when it comes to the detail and the substance, the government is simply not delivering.
Kieran Gilbert: So they’re relying, they’re putting all their eggs in the satellite basket?
Senator Henderson: Exactly, all their eggs in the satellite basket under circumstances where there may be a contract in place between Telstra and SpaceX, the Starlink contract, but certainly the other telcos are saying they won’t be able to put those satellite contracts in place.
Kieran Gilbert: Isn’t there an argument to say, in such an uncertain world that we live in at the moment, if you do have one provider or one technology, it’s better to safeguard with other options anyway, isn’t it? I mean, that’s just common sense. If the satellites fall over or whatever else, it’s good to have the backup option there.
Senator Henderson: Well, the intent of the bill, it has obviously got very strong merit and very strong support. All Australians no matter where they are in this country are entitled to connectivity. But the government has axed its investment in regional communications programs. It’s not looking at mandatory domestic mobile roaming. And we just heard literally, a very short time ago, Telstra is continuing to show that opposition to mandatory roaming. That is just not good enough.
Kieran Gilbert: Why is that? Why are they opposed to it?
Senator Henderson: Well they’re protecting their own network. They’re not acting in the interests of all Australians. They’re acting in their own commercial interest and I say that that’s not good enough.
Kieran Gilbert: So they’re basically saying if you’re with another provider, bad luck.
Senator Henderson: Yeah, exactly and that’s offensive. If you are in a part of Australia where there is only Telstra connectivity and you’re with another network, you should be able to access it on a commercial basis. And that needs to be worked through. But the government – again Anika Wells, like the social media ban, she’s big on the announcement, big on the hoo-ha. But when it comes to doing the hard work, the detail, she is missing in action.
Kieran Gilbert: There’s going to be a big announcement we’re hearing on Wednesday relating to the NDIS that the government, through Mark Butler, will be detailing its reform. It sounds like the government wanting to get a big part of the difficult side of the budget out, well and truly in advance of the budget itself. Do you welcome that? Do you welcome the fact that there’s going to be a proper look at reform of the NDIS?
Senator Henderson: Well Kieran, we have indicated we will work with the government on reforming the NDIS. It’s costing $50 billion. It is out of control, like so many other spending programs of the government which is driving up inflation, driving up interest rates, making our economy more fragile. And as we know and as the ACCC has confirmed, $5 billion of NDIS monies is being rorted. And what is the government doing? They are tinkering at the edges. They’re shifting money into Thriving Kids. They’re so-called controlling their cost increases. But they are not taking the tough decisions. And they need to because people with a disability who are in dire need of support, they deserve better. And that $5 billion is being rorted under the NDIS is completely unacceptable.
Kieran Gilbert: Now that is a travesty, that’s true. Thank you, Sarah Henderson, appreciate it.