Emergency services and alert systems

Mr Fletcher asked:

Is the Minister able to provide the Australian Media and Communications Authority (ACMA's) input towards the development of policy on the communications infrastructure to support emergency services and alerts; if so, what advice did ACMA provide on (a) a Radio Data System versus public mobile and fixed networks as platforms for delivering emergency services and alerts, (b) L and/or S band services to deliver such infrastructure and (c) its discussions with NBN Co. Limited about the potential for its satellite services to include an S band transponder for providing emergency alert facilities.

Mr Albanese responded:

The question relates to the carriage of alerts via the short message system (SMS), with a supplement being via an L or S band transponder on the National Broadband Network satellite. The ACMA advises that there is no planned L or S band transponder on the NBN filing and notes that it has not had discussions with NBN Co. Limited on this issue. The ACMA advises that the management of emergency alerts is a matter for the Attorney-General's Department.