Bill
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Communications in Natural Disasters) Bill 2026
before parliament, as at 2026-05-25.
- Sponsor
- Helen Haines
- Portfolio
- Not recorded
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2026-05-25
- second reading — 2026-05-25
Divisions
No divisions recorded. Most questions are decided on the voices; this does not establish that a bill was unopposed.
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2026-05-25.
This bill would require telecommunications networks to stay operational during natural disasters and extreme weather events.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority would set minimum backup power rules for network equipment in high-risk areas, and the minister could order temporary roaming during emergencies.
The bill also makes disaster-related telecommunications a purpose for which public interest grants can be awarded.
- The bill requires ACMA to make a service provider determination on minimum power requirements for critical network units in high-risk disaster areas.
- The bill gives the minister power to make rules for temporary disaster roaming during an emergency period.
- The bill adds the provision of telecommunications during natural disasters as a purpose for public interest telecommunications grants.
Telecommunications providers, communities in areas at high risk of natural disasters or extreme weather events, and regional, rural and remote communities are affected.
Sources
em
billhome