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

The majority voted against amendments introduced by Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh (Liberal), which means they failed.

Ms McIntosh explained that:

The first point in my amendment seeks to list our triple 0 network as critical infrastructure. This will ensure that the triple 0 service is enshrined as an infrastructure asset of national significance.

The second point in my amendment will increase the current penalty framework for a contravention of the act from $10 million to $20 million.

Amendment text

(1) Schedule 1, page 3 (before line 3), before the heading specifying Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999, insert:

Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018

1A Section 5 (after paragraph (a) of the definition of critical telecommunications asset)

Insert:

(aa) a telecommunications network that is used to supply an emergency call service; or

(2) Schedule 1, page 3 (before line 3), before the heading specifying Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999, insert:

Telecommunications Act 1997

1B After paragraph 570( 3)( ac)

Insert:

(ad) in the case of a contravention of subsection 151D(1) or (2) of the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999$20 million for each contravention; or

(3) Schedule 1, item 7, page 13 (after line 19), after section 151K, insert:

151KA Register of ECS outage events

(1) The Custodian must establish and keep a register of ECS outage events.

(2) The Custodian must include an ECS outage event in the register as soon as reasonably practicable after the Custodian reasonably believes that the ECS outage event has occurred, is occurring or will occur.

(3) The Custodian must make the information contained in the register available for public inspection on the internet.

(4) The regulations may make provision for and in relation to the keeping of the register.

(4) Schedule 1, item 7, page 16 (lines 11 and 12), omit "within 3 months after the end of each 6 month period", substitute "within 1 month after the end of each 3 month period".

(5) Schedule 1, item 7, page 16 (line 24), omit subsection 151Q(2), substitute:

(2) The ACMA must:

(a) provide a copy of the report to the Custodian; and

(b) publish the report.