Independent MP Helen Haines asks a question in the same sphere as the opposition, but without the politics, so it actually tackles something that needs to be done:

Multiple inqueries into triple-0 outages recommend temporary roaming during natural disasters and outages. This would keep Australians connected to emergencies no matter who their providers are. Minister, the bushfire season is fast approaching. You said that your telcos have agreed to go faster from the Bean Review. Will you give the telco a deadline to implement disaster roaming?

Anika Wells:

The government accepted and agreed in principle with recommendation 14 of the Bean review that work currently being undertaken by rooming during natural disasters should be followed by work on temporary roaming, though is acknowledged the industry had identified some feasibility issues. It’s drafting a memorandum of understanding to support this development, and let me be clear, it is my expectation that industry will make that work. Subject to the outcomes that have work, my department will examine the extent to which roaming could be available during other outage events in as recommended in the Bean review.

I would also highlight the government’s commitment to the universal outdoor mobile obligation which will allow connectivity across Australia and this will provider in level of redundancy to outages of all kinds.

To the second half of your question, that was absolutely the subject of the Minister for Emergency Services and myself when we met with the three CEOs of our office today. We asked NEMA to attend and they spoke to the particular perils of disaster season, the matters outstanding and we committed to get back together and do a simulation drill in a couple of weeks to stress test where this system is not currently working for people, particularly in places like regional Australia. You would know, of course, the Minister for emergency manage sent is always forward thinking and I will assure you that we are sincere in that work and that work will continue.