The Coalition is calling for submissions to a Senate inquiry examining Labor’s flawed mobile connectivity bill which is big on promises but short on delivery.
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey says the Senate inquiry into the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 is an important opportunity for residents to have their say.
“In a regional electorate the size of Parkes, reliable telecommunications is critical,” Mr Chaffey said.
“This proposed legislation is no solution. It leaves too many questions unanswered and residents, businesses and emergency services cannot rely on this vague piece of legislation to ensure they will have strong and dependable connectivity now or in the future.
“Our communities need to be heard, which is why I am calling for local submissions to the Senate inquiry. There may also be the opportunity to give evidence at a public hearing.”
While expanding mobile coverage is essential, the Coalition says Labor’s proposed legislation raises serious unanswered questions which demand proper scrutiny.
The bill places an ambiguous and uncertain obligation on telecommunications carriers to provide “reasonable access” to outdoor mobile connectivity on an “equitable basis”, without clearly defining how those obligations will be delivered.
Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety, Sarah Henderson, said the community of the electorate of Parkes deserved confidence that any major reform to mobile connectivity would actually deliver better coverage.
“Reliable mobile connectivity is essential for Australians wherever they live, but Labor’s proposed laws raise more questions than answers,” Senator Henderson said.
“The Senate inquiry will ensure this bill receives the scrutiny it deserves and gives stakeholders the opportunity to highlight the real-world implications of the government’s proposal.
“The Albanese government has not explained how this obligation will work in practice, how it will be funded, why mobile roaming has been excluded as a potential solution or what the potential costs will be for consumers.
“Given Labor’s record of communications failures – including the deadly triple zero outage and the botched 3G shutdown – Australians are entitled to demand this reform be thoroughly examined, including potential amendments to the bill,” Senator Henderson said.
Shadow Minister for Regional Communications, Anne Webster, said regional Australians in particular needed certainty that any new obligation would deliver practical improvements to connectivity.
“For people living in regional, rural and remote Australia, mobile connectivity is not a luxury – it is essential for safety, work, education and staying connected with family and community,” Dr Webster said.
“There are no guarantees this so-called universal outdoor mobile obligation (UOMO) will be affordable, available everywhere including from vehicles or ready to commence next year as Labor promised.”
“Labor also claims its UOMO is ‘technology neutral’ yet is looking to rely solely on satellite connectivity which is not available for existing handsets and is largely unproven. Labor is not focused on improving mobile coverage on the ground for rural, regional and remote Australians.
“The government should also be examining measures such as mandatory mobile roaming and explaining why the delivery of temporary emergency roaming during major outages and natural disasters has been delayed,” Dr Webster said.
The Coalition, when in government, consistently invested in mobile black spot programs, regional connectivity, and communications infrastructure to strengthen resilience and improve coverage.
Submissions should be made by 8 April 2026 at https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/TLAUOMOBill2025
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