Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Summary

This legislation requires telecommunications companies to provide mobile phone coverage in outdoor public areas across Australia, amending the existing Telecommunications Act 1997 to establish what's called a 'universal outdoor mobile obligation'. Currently, telcos can choose which areas to serve, leaving many outdoor public spaces like parks, beaches, and town centres without reliable coverage. The change means phone companies must meet minimum coverage standards in these outdoor areas, ensuring Australians can make calls and access mobile data when they're outside, which matters for emergency calls, tourism, and everyday safety in regional and remote communities.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause