Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson has defended her decision to make multiple calls to Australia's emergency triple-zero service during a widespread Telstra network outage, stating she was 'testing' the system. Her actions have drawn criticism from government ministers, who labelled them 'utterly irresponsible', particularly given that criminal penalties can apply for non-emergency calls to the service. However, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has firmly backed Ms Henderson, asserting she was 'doing her job' in light of what he described as government failings.
The controversy follows a significant Telstra outage on Wednesday, which led to disruptions for customers across Australia. Telstra confirmed on Thursday morning that some users experienced difficulties connecting to triple-zero due to a 'secondary issue', though the company stated this issue had been reduced by 90%. The incident has prompted a review by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, highlighting concerns about the resilience of critical communication infrastructure.
Further questions have arisen regarding a claim made by Liberal Senator Kerrynne Liddle on social media, alleging that an elderly person in South Australia died as a direct consequence of being unable to connect to triple-zero during a 'life-or-death emergency'. This claim has been directly contradicted by South Australia Police, who stated they were 'not aware of any death in South Australia today as a result of the Telstra nationwide outage'. Despite the police statement, Senator Liddle's post remained online, and she has not responded to requests for comment.
Mr Taylor addressed Senator Liddle's claim, stating he had not spoken to her directly but dismissed criticism, explaining that 'distressing reports' had been made to her office. He reiterated his focus on what he perceives as the government's failure to address 'real issues' rather than engaging in 'political spin'. Communications Minister Anika Wells had previously indicated that welfare checks were being conducted on individuals who had been unable to reach the emergency services.
The incident underscores the critical importance of reliable emergency service access and the scrutiny faced by telecommunications providers and political figures when such systems fail. The ongoing debate between the opposition and government highlights differing views on accountability and appropriate conduct during public service disruptions.