Emergency phone warning systems a step closer
The Federal Government has announced plans to legislate for a national telephone-based emergency warning system used to help prevent losses from natural disasters.
Amendments to the Telecommunications Act will provide $11.3 million to set up an emergency warning system database.
Telephone-based emergency warning systems have been the subject of discussions between federal and state governments since 2004. The states have agreed to legislation that will allow them to access data to develop their own warning systems.
The issue gained urgency after last month’s Victorian bushfires, where a failure to issue emergency warnings as the fires approached towns were blamed for people being trapped in their homes.
Despite the legislation, significant technological challenges remain. Current technology is generally limited to communication with fixed landlines, and only limited access is currently available to mobiles.
Amendments to the Telecommunications Act will provide $11.3 million to set up an emergency warning system database.
Telephone-based emergency warning systems have been the subject of discussions between federal and state governments since 2004. The states have agreed to legislation that will allow them to access data to develop their own warning systems.
The issue gained urgency after last month’s Victorian bushfires, where a failure to issue emergency warnings as the fires approached towns were blamed for people being trapped in their homes.
Despite the legislation, significant technological challenges remain. Current technology is generally limited to communication with fixed landlines, and only limited access is currently available to mobiles.