Ms. Davies questions the Premier on the lack of progress in improving regional telecommunications resilience following bushfire review recommendations, accusing both state and federal Labor governments of inaction. The Premier responds, emphasizing the importance of telecommunications during bushfires and committing to collaboration with the Commonwealth.

AnsweredQoN 14Legislative Assembly
Asked
13 February 2024
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

TELECOMMUNICATION OUTAGES
14. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. I note
that the Premier mentioned the word ''review'' several times.
Would he agree that despite recommendations from the Wooroloo, Cascade Scaddan
and Corrigin and Wickepin bushfire reviews that improving the resilience of
regional telecommunications networks should be a priority for the state,
absolutely nothing has changed under this state or federal Labor government?
The SPEAKER : That was a comment
at the end and it is not acceptable to add that comment.
Point of Order
Ms M.J. DAVIES : With respect,
at the beginning of my question was ''would he agree''.
The SPEAKER : Yes, and your
bit at the end was a gratuitous comment.
Questions without Notice Resumed

AnswerView source ↗

Telecommunications—particularly
mobile telecommunications—remain an absolute priority, particularly in
situations in which residents are facing the impacts of bushfire. We know that
information is one of the key things they need to be able to keep themselves
safe, so we will work with the federal government around these resilience
issues. It is incredibly important. As the member knows, there is nowadays a wide
range of communications opportunities
through the deployment of retail satellite communications systems, so that may
provide a way forward in relation to these things as well.
Again, we will continue to work in
this space with the commonwealth to ensure that we have a much more resilient
telecommunications system in the context of bushfire or power outage events.

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