Emma Comer
Petrie · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Today I want to celebrate three examples of what makes Petrie such a special place: creativity, community and confidence in the future. First, Redcliffe is fast making its case as the art capital of the world. Across the Peninsula, creativity is everywhere.”
“I also want to acknowledge the Redcliffe Art Society and its Exhibition of Excellence. For decades, the society has supported local artists, encouraged new talent and helped make Redcliffe a genuine cultural hub. To every artist, organiser, volunteer and supporter involved: thank you for adding so much life and colour to our community.”
“They help young people understand that their voices and ideas count and that democracy is strongest when people are informed and engaged. I thank the staff and students and the school community at Bracken Ridge State School, including the principal, Robyne Harris, deputy principal, Ben Laws, and the head of curriculum, Jess Edwards, for t…”
“Quantum computing has the potential to transform industries like medicine, energy, agriculture, logistics, materials, science and more that we can't even fathom today. For our community, it means new opportunities, new skills and a place at the centre of this exciting technology.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. What has been the impact of the Albanese Labor government's world-leading social media ban for under-16-year-olds, and what is standing in the way of strengthening them so that we can better protect Australian children and back Australian parents?”
“We have delivered Medicare urgent care clinics across the country, we are investing in our public hospitals in partnership with the states, and we are ensuring that general practice remains viable and an attractive profession for future generations of healthcare workers. These are not isolated initiatives.”
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“I'll always stand up for my community, I'll always call out injustice and violence, and I'll always say no to violence. It is completely unacceptable. It's great that our government has been able to acknowledge that some of our systems, such as the child support system, have actually been used to facilitate harm. The reforms in that space are so paramount, and I thank the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, for her work in that space.”
“On a heavier note, last week I attended the 18th annual Moreton Bay Says No To Violence march in Redcliffe. I was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with advocates, victim-survivors, police officers and community members who care. We got to hear from some incredible speakers, such as Holly from the Centre against Domestic Abuse, Kate Crowley-Smith from Broken to Brilliant, Ruby Allen from Kids of Purple, and the students from the Deception Bay Flexible School. Their speeches were absolutely touching. It reminds us that domestic violence is still prevalent in our communities. Every person who dies is one person too many, but every person who faces death, who lives in fear in their homes, is also one person too many. I got to stand up there and speak about my experience in domestic and family violence and how it is completely unacceptable.”
“A lot of work goes into creating these wonderful community events, and I just want to shout them out for that. One thing I particularly want to shout out is their community corner, where they make incredible quilts and donate them into the community where needed. One particular group they donate to, which got me in my heartstrings, was Chameleon Housing. Chameleon Housing provides housing for young people who need it. They might be going into that housing with just the clothes on their back or the belongings in their backpack, and these quilts feel like a hug from Nan. They get to hold that. I remember the quilt my nan gave me. Every time I get to put it on, I remember her and the great things that she did. So I just want to thank them for their incredible work.”
“For longer than I can remember, the Henzell Street Quilters have been the very fabric of the Petrie community, creating intricate, colourful and creative quilts. Last Friday I got to pop into their quilt show at the Redcliffe Showgrounds, and I saw some of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen. I'm going to say it: they're the best in the country. They showcased dozens of quilts, from outback landscapes and traditional designs to a flat cat quilt, which was my personal favourite. I want to thank the president, Chris, for sharing her story about what inspired her in creating that particular quilt. They also had creative stalls, raffles—plenty of inspiration. I want to thank Kathleen, the manager, who got the team together and put on this fantastic event.”
“Our community is a better place because of our incredible volunteers, who donate their time to support others. As a government, we know how vital volunteers are, and, as a reflection of that, since the Albanese Labor government were elected, we've provided more than $250,000 to these volunteer groups through grants. Through the community consultation panel that I formed recently, we've got more than $66,000 on the way to some very well-deserving volunteer groups. I want to take this moment to thank each and every volunteer in our community. We're all better because of you.”
“Last week was National Volunteer Week, when we recognise and celebrate the incredible volunteers that are the lifeblood of our communities. The region I'm humbled to represent has more than 300 volunteer organisations, groups that are made up of everyday champions doing their bit to make our community a better place, whether it's the crew at the coast guard keeping our waterways safe; the teams at Breakfast Club or Meals on Wheels, who are looking after our most vulnerable; the team at Bridge FM keeping us entertained and informed; the folks at U3A sharing their knowledge and experience through informative courses, helping to fight off isolation; the commitment of the Redcliffe Hospital Auxiliary, who have raised so much money for our hospital, to make it a more welcoming and more healing space; the dedicated crew of SES volunteers lending a helping hand when we need it most; or the volunteers within scout groups teaching our kids invaluable life skills.”
“My great grandfather died in the Second World War fighting to prevent this kind of religious and ethnic discrimination and vilification in our country. Whether you're Jewish, whether you're Muslim, whether you're Christian, you deserve to practice your religion free from violence and intimidation. It is a pillar of our country that we can have the freedom to be who we are, to believe what you believe. Diversity is so important to the strength of our country, and I condemn any kind of vilification.”
“Our young people are our future. We need to do what we can to help them get the best out of life, to get the best start in life. If a young person is facing homelessness or is already homeless, things haven't been going too well for them, so it's up to us as the government to really step in and do what we can to help them. I just want to take this moment to talk about a dreadful incident that happened on Sunday in my community. A mosque in Bald Hills was threatened with violence. The man responsible has now been apprehended by the Queensland Police Service, and I thank them for that. As it's a matter before the courts, I won't touch on it any further except to say this is an example of what is completely unacceptable in our country.”
“I just want to say that I'm so grateful that the Labor government is backing in Petrie. We're making sure that everyone can go about their daily business in a safe way. Another thing I'm really stoked about is the $60 million investment in the youth housing incentive. Our young people are struggling, and in my community we've got between 600 and 1,000 homeless young people. We have incredible organisations such as Chameleon Housing offering a safe space, a safe home, to young people and giving them the skills that they need to ensure that they can continue to have safe and secure housing. I'm really proud of the Minister for Housing and the Special Envoy for Social Housing for their incredible work in securing this funding. The $60 million is going to make such a difference in helping the young people in our community.”
“This federal government is backing in my community with the federal budget, with over $800 million for the Bruce Highway. Elizabeth in Griffin has told me that these improvements, particularly the on-ramp and off-ramp at Griffin right there at Dohles Rocks Road, are really going to benefit the community. They're going to see their commuter time cut down by 30 minutes or sometimes up to an hour depending on the day or the weekend. It's absolutely fantastic to see this investment, and I really thank the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government for backing in my community and backing in Queensland. It's so important that people can get from A to B safely and that we can actually cut commuter time so people can get more out of their day and more out of their work.”
“There is so much more that needs doing including: getting more healthcare services into the area; hosting more community events that bring our neighbours together; fighting for more infrastructure funding, especially roads, as our community continues to grow so that people can get where they need to go faster and safer; and building more houses all throughout the community to help people realise the Australian dream. A great deal has been achieved in just 10 months, but there's still so much more to do because representing Petrie isn't something I take for granted. (Time expired)”
“But just as important as the big announcements are the everyday moments hosting community events like the Fitzgibbon Family Fun Day, working with volunteers such as the great people at Deception Bay Scouts, the Redcliffe Wood Crafters, the amazing crew at Bridge FM and so many more. Because strong communities aren't built in parliament; they're built by the hard work of every single member of the amazing community that I am a part of. But even with all of this, my job is far from over.”
“For infrastructure, the federal government is backing the Bruce with an investment of $7.2 billion, with over $1.7 billion worth of work happening right within the Petrie electorate. On top of that, we've put in $56.24 million on the Beams Road overpass and $125.5 million to finally upgrade the Linkfield Road overpass, which is one of the worst overpasses in Queensland, if I'm frank. Working with ministers, I've been advocating directly to them to get the best outcomes for my community. Looking at everything that has been delivered for Petrie, it is clear that the Albanese Labor government has a keen focus on the electorate. Personally, I am so excited that Minister Wells and I have been able to secure the 2027 Women's Softball World Cup in Redcliffe, which is expected to bring about $2.5 million into the local economy.”
“I've also been able to support and sponsor the Petrie shield for 41 schools, recognising the achievements of students right across the electorate. For housing, more than a thousand people in Petrie have been able to buy their own home using the five per cent home deposit scheme, paying off their own mortgage rather than someone else's. While it is great to see so many first homebuyers using this, my focus is also on supply of social and affordable housing, getting 82 new social and affordable homes built in Redcliffe, with 248 more on their way in Margate, Carseldine and Deception Bay. It is a great start, and I'll continue to advocate directly to the housing minister for more.”
“But beyond national policies, I've been focused on delivering local outcomes because that's what matters most to the people I represent. In health care, I've been able to secure an Urgent Care Clinic in Deception Bay, a Medicare Mental Health Centre in Redcliffe, a speciality Indigenous mental health clinic in Deception Bay, and additional funding for headspace Redcliffe. Because of Labor's policies, we have now doubled the number of fully bulk-billed GPs in the Petrie electorate, because access to health care should not depend on your postcode. In education, I'm meeting with school principals in my electorate, hearing about their priorities and what support they need, and I've raised these matters directly to the education minister.”
“The issues my community raised with me are clear: cost of living, housing, health care, education, the environment and local jobs. I'm proud to say that I'm part of a government that is delivering real support in each of these areas. We have delivered tax cuts for every taxpayer, helping Australians keep more of what they earn. We've cut student debt by 20 per cent, easing the burden on 22,813 current and former students in Petrie. We've made medicines more affordable, with PBS scripts now capped at $25 for the general public and $7.07 for concession card holders for the rest of the decade. We have fully funded all Queensland schools. We've created a new Environmental Protection Agency. We've made TAFE free. We're delivering on energy bill relief, more tax cuts for every taxpayer and more affordable child care.”
“In May last year, the people of Petrie placed their trust in me to represent them in this building. It is a responsibility I carry with great pride and one that I have worked hard to honour every single day since. Now, it's been just over 10 months since I was elected. In that time, I've made it a priority to get straight to work. Because for me, being a good representative isn't just about titles; it's about outcomes. It's about listening, showing up and delivering for our community, and that's exactly what I've been doing from day one. I've been out in the community meeting with residents, schools, small businesses and community groups. I've made sure that the voices of my community are heard not just locally but here in Canberra as well.”
“Instead, the system will draw on existing data already collected through Medicare, hospitals and private health insurers, and that is what reform should look like—reducing red tape while increasing— Debate interrupted.”
“That is not transparency; that is uncertainty. Uncertainty in health care creates stress, financial pressure and, in some cases, people delaying or avoiding health care altogether. This bill addresses that directly through improvements to the Medical Costs Finder. The reforms will allow the Medical Costs Finder website to publish individual medical practitioner fees alongside insurer out-of-pocket cost data for common medical services. This is a significant step forward. Importantly, this change doesn't impose new administrative burdens on doctors. Medical practitioners will no longer be required to manually upload billing data.”
“Australians should not need to be health experts or to do hours of research to understand what they're being charged. They should not be left guessing about out-of-pocket costs or whether their insurance policy will actually deliver when they need it most. This bill is about fixing that. It is about enabling Australians to make informed decisions about their health care and their private health insurance. One of the key reforms in this legislation is improving transparency in healthcare pricing. For too long, patients have faced a system where costs can vary dramatically between specialists for the exact same procedure, often within the same city or region. These variations are not always visible upfront. Patients frequently only discover the true cost after they've already committed to treatment.”
“The Health Legislation Amendment (Improving Choice and Transparency for Private Health Consumers) Bill 2026 goes to the heart of something every Australian cares deeply about—the ability to access timely, affordable and high-quality health care. It is about trust in our health system, confidence in private health insurance and making sure that, when Australians make decisions about their health, they are not doing so in the dark. At its core, this legislation delivers on the Albanese government's commitment to strengthen Medicare while ensuring Australians who engage with the private health system are better informed, better protected and better supported. This reform is about giving Australians the information they need and closing the loopholes that undermine confidence in the system.”
“I want to ensure that everyone in the community of Petrie is able to go see a GP for free with bulk-billing or is able to go to an urgent care clinic. Whether they go to the urgent care clinic in Deception Bay or the urgent care clinic in Murrumba or go further south to Kedron, locals can access the health care they need, when they need it, close to home.”
“Nicole, who visited the urgent care clinic with her four-year-old, said, 'We were seen quickly and did not feel like we were being rushed through for the next person.' Mark and his wife said they had a wonderful experience at this clinic just a month ago. Daniel said he received fantastic service from really nice doctors and nurses who helped him straightaway. He couldn't be happier with the help that they gave him. Corinne let me know that she went there with a shoulder injury and had no wait time and would recommend this centre a hundred per cent. These are just some of the testimonials that show that our investment into affordable health care is making a big difference to Petrie locals. We promised to deliver this urgent care clinic and we did it. I would never say that the job is done.”
“I'll be joining them in the coming weeks to be a guest on their podcast, and they've asked me to DJ assess, so I'll be getting out there and supporting a great cause. Maybe tune in and you might see some hidden talents! I also want to turn this chamber's attention to the brand new urgent care clinic in Deception Bay. It has absolutely been amazing. My team and I have been out there talking to the electorate and knocking on doors to make sure that people know that there's this facility close by to home and available when they need the help. It's on Bailey Road in Deception Bay. It's also a part of a fully bulk-billed GP clinic, and the response from the community has been so strong and so passionate. I want to share some of the things that have come through from the local community. Here are some of the reviews the locals have provided me.”
“I recently had the privilege to join Dan, Vera, DJ and the team at Musicare in Clontarf to see the phenomenal work that they do for children and young people with disabilities. Musicare is the world's first creative arts program of its kind. It's uniquely tailored to each individual and their goal, and I got to see firsthand just how powerful music can be to help children with disabilities to learn, grow and make some positive connections. It was clear to see that the team are working tirelessly, and they're making a real difference to these young kids' lives. I got to go in there and meet some more of the team, see their facilities and see their equipment. A lot of the people working there are musicians or producers, and they're connecting with these young people in a way that these young people haven't been connected with.”
“If we are serious about building a defence force that is ready for the future, we must continue that work. Supporting women in defence, removing the remaining barriers and fostering an environment where everyone can contribute fully is not just the right thing to do; it is essential to maintaining a capable and ready force. Today we acknowledge and thank the women who have served and who continue to serve in the Australian Defence Force. For their skill and for their courage, I recognise them and respect them.”
“That's why I have since raised this directly with the former chief of defence force Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston, who is now Chancellor of the University of Sunshine Coast, and I've raised this with the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, advocating for a more considered approach that maintains standards whilst recognising difference. I will continue to advocate for a defence force that upholds readiness and capability, while ensuring that we are getting the best out of every person who has signed on the dotted line. My electorate of Petrie has over 5,000 veterans. Many of them are women. These women have had to fight to be included in all aspects of the ADF, fight to be equal to their male counterparts and fight for the respect they deserve whilst fighting to defend our nation.”
“When I was in training, the bridging programs were not appropriately designed to accommodate for the lighter body weight of women. I suffered an injury as a result, and so did many of my female colleagues. Everyone in this parliament would agree that we should not lower the fitness requirements of the military. However, when I was in training, it was clear that we needed to be accommodating of different body types. It was clear that a one-size-fits-all approach risks sidelining capable recruits. I saw too many strong, determined women leave—individuals who had the potential to make significant contributions to our Defence Force.”
“The hard work of women throughout the history of the ADF has made it crystal clear that inclusion and diversity is one of our greatest strengths, making the ADF one of the best defence forces in the world. Today, women serve across every command and every speciality, from flying fighter jets to working in cyber operations, from frontline Army to complex intelligence and logistics functions. They are a vital part in Australia's defence capability. Women now make up more than a quarter of the Defence workforce, and their contribution continues to grow. They bring skill, determination and leadership to their roles, strengthening the ADF in every way. At the same time, it's important to acknowledge that many women have faced challenges throughout their service.”
“They are leaders, specialists and decision-makers. They command units, manage complex operations and contribute to some of the most technically advanced areas of defence. Just last week, I was at the Gallipoli Barracks Open Day, commemorating 125 years of the Australian Army. I got to meet Brigadier Jennifer Harris, a senior Australian Defence Force officer who is a shining example of how women are now serving in critical leadership positions within the ADF. That said, progress has not come overnight. While women have been serving in uniform for generations, access to combat roles was only opened to women in 2016. That milestone marked a significant shift, but it also highlights how recent some of these changes have been. The growing presence of women has strengthened Defence not only in capability but in culture.”
“They operate across land, sea, air, cyber and space, reflecting both the changing nature of warfare and the growing recognition of their capabilities. What has remained constant, however, is the standard of service and the ability to rise to any occasion. Australian women in uniform have consistently demonstrated professionalism, courage and resilience, whether serving in combat zones, contributing to peacekeeping missions or responding to humanitarian disasters here and abroad. Women like Olive King, Vivian Bullwinkel and Florence McKenzie were trailblazers that cleared the way to allow women like myself to enter officer training at Duntroon. I'm proud to be a small part of a large history of women who put themselves forward to serve their nation. In the modern Australian Defence Force, women are no longer in the margins.”
“For more than a century, women have been part of Australia's defence story. Their contribution has been central to how our nation has protected itself and supported others in times of conflict and crisis. From the very beginning, women chose to serve their country, often without the recognition, opportunities or pathways afforded to their male counterparts. They stepped forward regardless, motivated by a strong sense of duty and a deep commitment to our nation. For far too many years, women were largely confined to nursing and support roles, but over time that contribution has evolved significantly. Women in uniform now serve in every command of the ADF and across the full spectrum of national service roles and specialties.”
“I repeat that to those opposite: our nation's fuel is secure. Australia is currently above the minimum domestic fuel stockholding obligations and, crucially, those reserves are now stored here in Australia. That wasn't always the case. When the coalition was in government, fuel reserves were stored overseas. This government ensured that the fuel reserves are kept onshore when Australians need them. In times of global uncertainty, that matters. We are seeing disruptions in some areas caused by temporary spikes in demand, not a national supply issue. I want to be clear: Australia continues to meet its fuel stockholding obligations and our fuel reserves are secure. That means Australians can have confidence that the petrol they rely on every day remains available and secure. That is the approach of the Albanese Labor government.”
“The Albanese Labor government has proven that renewables are vital and effective at meeting our energy needs. Households and communities and businesses are generating more of their own power, strengthening our energy system and helping drive down emissions. And that is not all. The Albanese government is introducing a new regulated electricity market offer, which includes a free three-hour power period during the day, every day. That's three hours of free electricity every single day. We are living in turbulent times, but here in Australia we are responding from a position of strength. Australians have seen the headlines about global fuel disruptions and uncertainty in international markets. It is understandable that people feel concerned, but Australians can be assured our nation is fuel secure.”
“The clean energy transition isn't coming from the cities; it's being led by the families in the suburbs and the communities across Australia who want lower power bills and a secure energy future. We are already seeing the results of this transition. In the last quarter of 2025, Australia reached a historic milestone. For the first time ever, more than half of our electricity came from renewable energy. That shows that clean energy transformation is not just a future ambition; it is happening right now. The summer we just had was a scorcher and, with renewable renewables providing energy to the grid, we have not faced significant issues with reliability or supply. This is despite the naysayers, who think that renewables are less reliable than fossil fuels.”
“I had the pleasure of visiting Rob's home in Bridgeman Downs alongside Minister Bowen to see his battery system in action. For Rob, batteries mean lower power bills and making the most of the solar energy his home already uses and produces. Since the program began in my electorate of Petrie, 1,571 households and local businesses have already taken up the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Northlakes and Mango Hill lead with 365 batteries installed. Redcliffe and Scarborough in Newport now have 236 installations, and Deception Bay has 144. Suburbs like Clontarf, Margate and Woody Point are also seeing a strong uptake in installations. These numbers tell an important story.”
“Australia is leading the world in rooftop solar and Queensland leads Australia with one in two households with solar. That means Queensland families are not just part of the clean energy transition; they are driving it. Go Queensland! Households are generating their own power, lowering their electricity bills and contributing to a stronger, more resilient energy grid. Programs like the Cheaper Home Batteries Program are helping families store the solar power they generate during the day and use it when they need it most, further reducing bills and strengthening Australia's energy system. Across Australia more families and small businesses are taking up these opportunities. One of the very first batteries installed and turned on under this program was right in my electorate of Petrie.”
“I thank the member for Kooyong for bringing up this important matter. It gives me the opportunity to talk about one of my favourite topics: how the Albanese Labor government is simultaneously helping ease cost-of-living pressures whilst also supporting Australia's energy transition. The people in my community and right across Australia are feeling the pinch of the cost of living. One of the most important ways that we can help households right now is bringing in measures that lower their power bills. In Australia we are blessed with the best sun and the best wind in the world—I might add, the best beaches too—and now we're putting them to work to bring down the energy bills. More than one in three homes in the country have solar panels installed, one of the highest rates on the planet.”
“My question is to the Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to provide more social and affordable homes for those Australians who need it most? Is the minister aware of any risks in the government's plans?”
“My question is to the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting women that are facing homelessness and providing access to safe and secure housing? What risks are there to accessing homes?”
“It supports Australia's growing demand for data and seamless connectivity. Our vision is clear. We are not sitting back waiting for technology to evolve to its own timetable. We're acting early to ensure that Australians benefit from emerging technologies as quickly and as equitably as possible. Improving coverage is a key concern for communities and a priority of this government. The UOMO ensures that almost anywhere Australians can see the sky, they will have access to outdoor mobile voice and text services. It means that when you look up, you can connect. No matter where you live or what you do, you deserve that connection.”
“There are negotiations, approvals, design work and construction phases, but time frames and technicalities would not diminish my commitment to seeing this through, because it is about more than signal bars on a screen. It is about safety, it is about opportunity and it is about fairness. Once contract negotiations are finalised, a public announcement will be made. The UOMO will complement these on-the-ground efforts by ensuring that even where terrestrial coverage gaps remain, baseline outdoor connectivity will be available. This reform is about closing the digital divide. It builds on the government's investments in the NBN, in regional communication programs, in First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan initiatives and strengthening the triple zero framework. It supports productivity. It supports economic growth.”
“From contract signing, it typically takes between 24 and 36 months to move through site inspection, detailed design, planning approvals, site acquisition, construction and the final activation. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts has informed me that it is legally unable to provide a public update while contract negotiations remain underway. I share the community's frustration. I want the residents of Burpengary East to know that I am not treating this as a background issue. I'm advocating strongly, I'm seeking updates, I'm pushing for progress and I will continue to do so. These processes can take time.”
“Regional stakeholders are keen to see equitable access to mobile coverage and to ensure that direct-to-device technology complements rather than replaces terrestrial infrastructure. I want to speak about what this reform means in practical terms for communities like mine. In Burpengary East, residents have been grappling with limited and unreliable mobile coverage. It is a growing community. Families are moving in, small businesses are establishing themselves, but too many residents struggle to make a call from their own home. I've been working closely with stakeholders to progress improved mobile infrastructure in Burpengary East. Negotiations with Queensland's site grantee are ongoing. These negotiations are critical to ensuring that the proposed base station can move from planning into delivery. Base station deployment is complex.”
“Standards could cover matters such as ensuring there are affordable products to meet the needs of vulnerable groups, or requiring industry to reduce the impact of planned mobile outages through better planning and communication. While the need for and content of any standards will require close consultation, it is important that the government has the ability to step in if the market does not deliver fair outcomes. Consultation has already been undertaken on exposure draft legislation. Feedback was received from mobile carriers, carriage service providers, state and territory governments, regulators, consumer groups and individuals. Consumer stakeholders have strongly supported the bill, and in many cases have called for even stronger enforcement of standards.”
“This legislation brings mobile services into the longstanding universal services regime, which previously focused on legacy, copper based voice services. It modernises that framework. It recognises that mobile phones are now the primary means of communication for the overwhelming majority of Australians. I actually don't know a single person my age that has a landline. It also creates new powers to set standards, rules and benchmarks for mobile services, with flexibility for those to apply before the UOMO commences. This provides a framework to hold industry to account if it does not deliver in the national interest.”
“The bill proposes a default commencement date of 1 December 2027. From that date, all three operators will be required to ensure that baseline mobile coverage is reasonably available outdoors throughout Australia. This timing is ambitious, and it is challenging, but it sends a clear signal to the market that equitable and accessible outdoor mobile coverage is a national priority and that services should be available as soon as possible. Importantly, the bill provides flexibility to adjust the scope and timing of the obligation by notifiable legislative instrument if required by market readiness or technical constraints. Any such decision must be made following consultation with the UOMO providers and with consideration of market, technical and consumer matters. This ensures accountability while maintaining necessary flexibility.”
“It allows compatible mobile phones to connect directly to satellites when terrestrial coverage is unavailable, provided there is a clear line of sight to the sky. The bill recognises that there are circumstances where operators may not be able to meet this obligation—for example, in heavily forested areas or deep valleys where a clear line of sight is obstructed. The intent is to ensure services are available as widely as possible. Initially, the mobile telecommunications services subject to the UOMO will be voice services and SMS. This reflects the early capability of the technology and the primary policy objective of public safety. The bill creates a flexible framework that allows the scope and timing of the UOMO to be adjusted by the ministerial instrument as satellite technology evolves and the market capability expands.”
“It will also improve competition by ensuring that baseline access is available through all three national operators. Mobile carriers are expected to meet the obligation using a combination of their existing terrestrial mobile networks and the new direct-to-device technology enabled by the low-Earth-orbit satellites. The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025 is not about replacing traditional mobile coverage; it is about expanding it to areas where, despite significant industry and government co-investment, it has not been feasible to provide coverage through towers alone. Direct-to-device technology is emerging and still being rolled out in Australia and around the world.”
“Under the UOMO, coverage will be accessible almost everywhere Australians can see the sky. That underlying connectivity will support expanded triple zero access and strengthen public safety outcomes. This reform means that, whether you are travelling on a regional highway, working on a remote property, camping with your friends or visiting one of our amazing national parks, you'll have baseline access to mobile voice and SMS services outdoors where reasonably possible. The UOMO will require the three national mobile network operators Telstra, Optus and TPG to provide reasonable and equitable access to outdoor mobile voice and text services almost everywhere in Australia. This will have particular benefits in remote and regional areas where there is currently no traditional mobile coverage.”