Under the urgent carrier licence condition, the Communications Minister has the power to appoint an independent technical expert to oversee Optus' Triple 0 capability. This only requires cabinet sign off, not parliamentary, which means that it could be done today.
As stated by Greens Communications spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:
"This is a catastrophic failure of Optus, and a devastating regulatory failure too.
"Optus have put profits before safety and our telecommunications regulations have failed to protect the community.
"We need better regulation and better oversight and that's why I am calling on the Communications Minster today to immediately put in place independent oversight of Optus.
"The Communications Minister has the power to intervene and put in place an independent technical expert to oversee Optus' delivery of Triple 0. Given how little public faith there is in Optus now, the Minister should take this issue to Cabinet for sign off immediately.
"How many more strikes does Optus need? The company clearly can't be trusted to do the right thing on its own. We don't need another review for the Minister to take immediate action, she has the power to act and can intervene today.
"This is a matter of life and death and at the end of the day, responsibility sits with the Government to ensure that this most essential service is delivered to Australians.
"People need to know that when they dial Triple 0 they will get an answer. This is an industry that is largely self-regulated and it's time that ended. We need direct regulation of these essential services and we need immediate action to put public safety first."
