Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says there’s been yet another set of handsets deactivated from phone connectivity due to inability to connect to Triple Zero, following Samsung deactivations late last year.

Telstra advised earlier this week they were deactivating some Oppo A53 devices because they could not reach emergency services, an critical legal condition under the Emergency Call Service Determination to permit devices being allowed to remain on Australia’s mobile network.

“I’ve been involved in my now former role as Shadow Minister for Regional Communications in holding the Albanese Labor Government to account for the many problems Australians are having connecting with Triple Zero, and this is yet another,” Dr Webster said.

“It is very difficult to know how many Mallee mobile users would be affected, but in the early 2020s Oppo had a significant Australian marketshare with hundreds of thousands of handsets sold annually.

“I encourage Oppo A53 owners to check the Telstra website for advice on how to check if they can update their phone to remain connected to the mobile network.”

Dr Webster said this week’s deactivations further demonstrated why the full independent inquiry she called for as Shadow Minister remains a priority.

“Lives have been lost because Australians could not connect with triple zero, and we know all too well in regional Australia how much we rely on connectivity, and how far away emergency services and healthcare is,” Dr Webster said.

“The Communications Minister and the Albanese Labor Government have been way out of their depth on regional connectivity and need to explain what they are doing to assist affected Oppo A53 owners.”

Dr Webster resigned on Thursday as Shadow Minister for Regional Communications (and Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories) in solidarity with all of her Nationals shadow ministry colleagues over the sacking of 3 Nationals Shadow Minister senators, and dissolution of the Liberal-National Coalition.

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