Roaming cannot help everywhere
Emergency roaming only works when another carrier’s network is available. Communities served by a single provider would still need further infrastructure investment or alternative emergency connections.
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters)
Current status
This bill is currently before Parliament.
Policy area
Transport & communications
What does this bill do?
Communities in disaster-prone areas would have critical mobile sites identified and covered by minimum power requirements, including possible backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages..
Why was it introduced?
Helen Haines (Independent) said mobile outages can stop people receiving warnings, contacting emergency services or coordinating evacuations. She pointed to two January 2026 fires in Indi that destroyed more than 300 homes and burnt over 250,000 hectares. She argued that repeated reviews had not yet produced minimum backup-power rules or temporary access to another mobile network during disasters.
Broader context
Australia already had an ACCC inquiry into regional mobile infrastructure, but repeated floods, fires, damaged infrastructure and lost power exposed how limited network redundancy could isolate communities from emergency services and warnings. After the January 2026 bushfires in Helen Haines MP’s electorate destroyed more than 300 homes and burnt over 250,000 hectares, her private member’s bill was introduced on 25 May 2026 to require backup-power standards, enable temporary disaster roamingShort-term access to another mobile network. and fund emergency communications projects.
Key criticism
The included speeches contain no criticism of the bill itself. Helen Haines (Independent) instead criticised the government for delaying disaster roaming and relying on the telecommunications industry to deliver it. She also said the government had not acted on calls for minimum backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages. at critical mobile sites.
Who supported it?
Helen Haines MP introduced this bill. Supportive speeches so far have come from Centre Alliance, some crossbench members.
Introduced in House 25 May 2026
At second reading in House 25 May 2026
Not yet reached Senate —
Not yet law —
Did it become law?
Not yet
Final passage
No final vote yet
The bill has not yet completed passage through Parliament.
Days since introduction
74 days
Updated 07 Aug 2026.
Meaning
What does this bill do?
-
Communities in disaster-prone areas would have critical mobile sites identified and covered by minimum power requirements, including possible backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages..
-
Mobile users affected by a disaster could temporarily use another available network for voice calls and text messages.
-
Mobile providers could face rules covering when disaster roaming starts, service standards, coordination, pricing and reporting.
-
Disaster-hit communities could receive grants for emergency communications, including mobile equipment, community Wi-Fi and satellite internet.
Show source excerpts
-
99A Service provider determination dealing with minimum power requirements at high risk sites (1) The ACMA must make a service provider determination that applies to service providers in relation to the supply of public mobile telecommunications services. (2) The determination must: (a) identify areas that are at high risk of being affected by natural disasters or extreme weather events; and (b) identify network units within those areas that are critical to the provision of public mobile telecommunications services; and (c) set out requirements for powering those network units. (3) Witho
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) introduced text -
Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 3 Subsection 5(2) temporary disaster roaming means temporary access to a mobile telecommunications network other than the network ordinarily used for an end‑user’s service, provided to the end‑user in an affected area during an emergency period to enable voice calls and short message service communications. 4 After section 12R 12RA Temporary disaster roaming (1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules requiring a primary universal outdoor mobile provider to provide temporary disaster roaming to end‑use
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) introduced text -
(2) Rules under subsection (1) may prescribe any or all of the following: (a) the definition of affected area and emergency period, including by reference to an instrument made under any other Act; (b) timeframes for temporary disaster roaming; (c) minimum service performance requirements for designated mobile telecommunications services supplied by means of temporary disaster roaming; (d) information‑sharing and operational coordination between carriers and carriage service providers reasonably necessary to implement temporary disaster roaming; (e) wholesale arrangements reasonably neces
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) introduced text -
5 After paragraph 13(1)(j) (ja) that telecommunications services remain available during natural disasters, including by means of cells on wheels and community wi‑fi; and
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) introduced text
Context
Broader context for this bill
Australia already had an ACCC inquiry into regional mobile infrastructure, but repeated floods, fires, damaged infrastructure and lost power exposed how limited network redundancy could isolate communities from emergency services and warnings. After the January 2026 bushfires in Helen Haines MP’s electorate destroyed more than 300 homes and burnt over 250,000 hectares, her private member’s bill was introduced on 25 May 2026 to require backup-power standards, enable temporary disaster roamingShort-term access to another mobile network. and fund emergency communications projects.
- 2019–2021
Emergencies disrupt Victorian network availability
The 2019–20 Eastern Victoria bushfires, the June 2021 flood and October 2021 storms affected network availability during emergencies and recovery.
ACCC ↗ - 31 Mar 2022
ACCC inquiry into regional mobile infrastructure is announced
The Australian Government directed the ACCC to examine regional mobile infrastructure and the feasibility of mobile roaming during natural disasters and emergencies.
ACCC ↗ - 30 June 2023
ACCC completes its regional mobile infrastructure inquiry
The ACCC provided its final report to the Minister after examining regional infrastructure and emergency mobile roaming.
ACCC ↗ - January 2026
Bushfires devastate communities in Indi
The Longwood and Walwa River Road fires destroyed more than 300 homes and burnt over 250,000 hectares in Helen Haines MP’s electorate of Indi.
Hansard ↗ - 25 May 2026
Helen Haines MP introduces the private member’s bill
Helen Haines MP introduced the bill in the House of Representatives, opening debate on measures to maintain communications during natural disasters.
Parliamentary timeline ↗
Legislative route
How did it move through Parliament?
House Senate
Introduced 25 May 2026
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 25 May 2026
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Key criticism
The main case against this bill
The included speeches contain no criticism of the bill itself. Helen Haines (Independent) instead criticised the government for delaying disaster roaming and relying on the telecommunications industry to deliver it. She also said the government had not acted on calls for minimum backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages. at critical mobile sites.
Rebekha Sharkie (Centre Alliance) supported the bill. She said backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages., temporary access to another network and communications at community centres would help regional communities during disasters.
Further sources
Votes
Recorded votes
No recorded votes have been found yet for this bill.
Parliamentary debate
Who spoke, and what they said
Start here — lead voices
Sponsor speech Supports
Helen Haines
Haines urges the House to pass her bill, arguing it would save lives during natural disasters by requiring backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages. at high-risk phone towers, enabling temporary disaster roamingShort-term access to another mobile network. and supporting resilient community internet services.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead non-major voice Supports
Rebekha Sharkie
Sharkie strongly supports the bill because backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages., disaster roaming and satellite connectivity at community centres would keep regional Australians connected during natural disasters and help save lives.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
Minor parties and independents
2 speakers · 2 support
Minor parties and independents
2 speakers · 2 support
-
Helen Haines ★ Haines urges the House to pass her bill, arguing it would save lives during natural disasters by requiring backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages. at high-risk phone towers, enabling temporary disaster roamingShort-term access to another mobile network. and supporting resilient community internet services.
“This bill, if implemented, would save lives when the next fire, flood or storm arrives.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Rebekha Sharkie ★ Sharkie strongly supports the bill because backup powerBatteries or generators used during outages., disaster roaming and satellite connectivity at community centres would keep regional Australians connected during natural disasters and help save lives.
“I second the motion. I very much support the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) Bill 2026 and this motion, and I thank the member for Indi for championing regional telecommunications. My community understands the very real threat of bushfires. We've lived through the fear, uncertainty and heartbreak that come with fires—not just our homes but our entire townships. Telecommunications outages, due to the loss of power or destruction of infrastructure during such natural disasters, ultimately cost lives. Earlier this year, the fire at Deep Creek reminded us how quickly conditions can change. That one actually threatened the township of Cape Jervis and vital ferry infrastructure. We've had, during my time as a member, devastating fires on Kangaroo Island, in the Adelaide Hills and at Cherry Gardens, and, just before I was the member, there was one at Sampson Flat. But the disaster lives on for a long time.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Full record
- Status
- Before Reps -- Collected from the APH bill page.
- Originating house
- House of Representatives
- 25 May 2026
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 25 May 2026
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.