JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Senator Sarah Henderson
Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety
Senator for Victoria

Dr Anne Webster MP
Shadow Minister for Regional Health
Shadow Minister for Regional Communications
Federal Member for Mallee

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19 October 2026

Coalition secures major wins for regional mobile coverage

The Coalition has secured three significant amendments to Labor’s Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO) legislation, delivering stronger protections for mobile consumers, greater accountability for telecos and improved communications during natural disasters.

Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety, Senator Sarah Henderson, and Shadow Minister for Regional Communications, Dr Anne Webster, said the Coalition had forced Labor to strengthen its flawed legislation. The Coalition’s three amendments deliver:

• Legislated temporary disaster roaming: While a voluntary scheme has commenced, the delivery of temporary disaster roaming is now included in the UOMO legislation, providing greater certainty for the regions, particularly in disaster-prone communities.

• Mandatory mobile network performance and reliability standards: The government will be required to establish minimum performance and reliability standards for terrestrial mobile networks, taking into account the ACCC’s mobile services inquiry

• Mobile domestic roaming: This amendment makes clear the minister must request, in writing, that in conducting the mobile services inquiry, the ACCC considers the benefits to consumers, and impacts on investment and competition of declaring a domestic mobile roaming service.

“The Coalition has forced Labor to legislate stronger safeguards for temporary disaster roaming, mandatory mobile network reliability standards and domestic mobile roaming,” Senator Henderson said.

“But these Coalition wins do not repair the damage caused by Labor’s savage cuts to regional communications funding or the fundamental flaws in its UOMO scheme.”

“Labor is promising universal outdoor mobile connectivity from December 2027, despite serious questions about the readiness of satellite technology, handset compatibility and unresolved spectrum issues.”

“Australians need mobile services that work, not another grand promise from a government which has failed to deliver,” Senator Henderson said.

Dr Webster said Labor had abandoned regional Australians by cutting critical funding while failing to fix persistent mobile black spots.

“Labor has gutted regional communications funding while promising a satellite solution which is years away from delivering reliable coverage,” Dr Webster said.

“After the botched 3G shutdown and repeated Triple Zero failures, Australians have every reason to question Labor’s competence.”

“Regional families, farmers and small businesses need mobile coverage on which they can depend, particularly during bushfires, floods and other emergencies.”

“Temporary disaster roaming is an important safeguard, but it is no substitute for reliable mobile infrastructure. You cannot roam onto another network if there are no towers.”

“Regional Australians deserve reliable and affordable mobile coverage, not more broken promises."

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