SALLY SARA [HOST]: Well, as parts of the country face dangerously high temperatures this week, there was concern that some Australians might not be able to call emergency services when they need it. Telstra reported yesterday that some Samsung phones might not get through to triple-0 services. Kristy McBain is the Minister for Emergency Management and joins me now. Minister, welcome back to breakfast.

KRISTY MCBAIN [MINISTER]: Good morning.

SARA: Before we look at communications, you're now preparing for the bushfire season. What are the indicators telling you about how severe this season might be?

MCBAIN: Look, we know from our long range forecast that we've got an increased risk of bushfire in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia on the back of what's been really dry conditions. And obviously Wednesday was a real wake up call for those across New South Wales and Queensland with really hot, dry conditions and a number of bushfires that did spark earlier this week. So, again, we ask that people plan and prepare for the season ahead. Make sure you've got your emergency plan in place, that you can assist people who may be more vulnerable in your community, preparing for what may take place, and just heeding those warnings from our emergency services.

SARA: We're already seeing some states, including Tasmania, already responding to bushfires. Is the Government deploying extra resources for this season?

MCBAIN: Yeah, we've got our $50 million investment in our National Aerial Firefighting Fleet. We launched that just yesterday from RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales. The Federal Government contributes funding to two fixed wing and three rotary wing aircraft which complements a range of aircraft across the country. There will be over 160 aircraft which are all contracted through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre. So, they're all strategically positioned across the country in the case of those bushfires, from small craft like helicopters to the very large air tankers that the Federal Government contracts.

SARA: Given how intense the fire season has been in some parts of the northern hemisphere and the season seems to be lengthening there, is the window for sharing resources with other parts of the world, is that narrowing?

MCBAIN: It's always a challenge. We've seen obviously the seasons extending in both the northern and the southern hemisphere. We work really closely with our providers across the world, where we're covered for an extended period here in Australia and we'll continue to work with our providers to ensure that continues.

SARA: On the issue of communications, Telstra testing has revealed that some Samsung mobile phone users may be unable to call triple-0 in an emergency. What's the Government been told about the scale of this problem?

MCBAIN: We have been working with telcos to strengthen the emergency response to telecommunication outages just recently. We've strengthened requirements for more rigorous device testing and obviously this issue has been highlighted. We are now requiring that device testing to take place through the University of Technology Sydney's National Telecommunications Resilience Centre to ensure that the telcos can work out what those devices are and fix them so that everyone can be assured that they can reach triple zero in an emergency.

SARA: So, how many people or handsets is estimated to be affected by this particular Samsung issue?

MCBAIN: Look, the telcos are doing that work. I don't think that there are many of them across the country, but it's really important that the telcos identify them and work with their customers. We don't want to give anyone a false sense of security around their ability to call triple-0. So, we're ensuring that the telcos do work with those customers to ensure that they have access to triple-0.

SARA: So, the Government hasn't been given a number yet as to how many people or handsets might be affected?

MCBAIN: I think it's around 10,000.

SARA: And can I just clarify, this is affecting 11 older models of Samsung handsets. Is this specifically for the 3G network or is this a problem for these older models overall?

MCBAIN: Look, it's an issue, obviously, because the older handsets may not have software upgrades in them. That's why the telcos are working specifically with their customers to identify where software upgrades can take place or whether new handsets need to be bought.

SARA: So, is it a 3G specific issue or it’s broader than that?

MCBAIN: It's around software. Sometimes that is a 3G issue, sometimes it's not. So, those telcos are working with their customers and the Government is ensuring that there is more rigorous testing taking place.

SARA: And so, in terms of individuals who may have these older Samsung handsets, do they need to check the models that are listed or is there another way that they'll be able to tell whether they're affected or not?

MCBAIN: A number of the telcos have been sending out text messages to their customers to ensure that they're aware that there may be an issue and to ring their provider. So, there is a contact mechanism that's taking place with the telcos.

SARA: Will there be any government help for Australian customers who may need to buy new mobile handsets as a result of this?

MCBAIN: This is an issue for the telcos. The telcos have contracts with customers and those customers, you know, pay for a service which includes a triple-0 service for their handsets. It's an issue that the telcos are going to have to address.

SARA: The Australian Communications and Media Authority says under rules introduced last year, telcos must identify mobile phones that are unable to access emergency call services. Why wasn't this issue with Samsung devices discovered earlier?

MCBAIN: I think there has been an awareness that this is an issue. We know that telcos have been in contact with customers previously and it's important that they continue up that method of contacting customers to ensure that people are aware if they may not be able to contact triple-0.

SARA: You're listening to Radio National Breakfast. My guest is the Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain. Yesterday, Optus confirmed that two of its senior executives will step down. The company says these were planned changes, but are the changes nonetheless helpful in the wake of Optus’ recent outages?

MCBAIN: Well, I guess that's a matter for Optus. We're focused on ensuring that customers and consumers can access triple-0 calling, that they can access the wide spectrum that they are paying to access. So, that's the concern of the Government, particularly as we head into the higher risk weather season. Personnel changes within Optus or any telecommunications company is a matter for them.

SARA: Do heads still need to roll at Optus, in your view?

MCBAIN: Well, again, that's a matter for Optus. I'm looking forward to the outcome of the ACMA investigation and I think a lot of members across communities, particularly vulnerable communities, will be wanting some answers as to how this occurred and why it wasn't picked up sooner and they were made aware.

SARA: Given the issue is so significant, will Labor support a parliamentary inquiry into the Optus outages?

MCBAIN: Look, as I said, at this stage, we're looking forward to ACMA investigating. They are the regulator here and it's clear that Australian law says that telco providers need to provide access to triple-0 calling for their customers. So, I think it's appropriate that that investigation is taking place and it's clear that there will be some fines that will need to be paid and we'll be looking forward to what that outcome is.

SARA: Kristy McBain, thank you for your time this morning.

MCBAIN: Thanks.