HOST, TIM WONG-SEE: From 1 October this year, for the first time, the government has managed to negotiate a system called Temporary Disaster Roaming where you will be able to access any mobile carrier service, even if your phone is not with that carrier, to make calls and to text and to get online and get data. Previously you have been already been able to do that for Triple Zero but it's now being extended for any kind of phone call or text or internet use that you might need. Kristy McBain is the Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and she's here now. Minister, thanks for your time. Good morning.

MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, KRISTY MCBAIN: Good morning.

HOST: Who will be responsible for switching this capability on in a disaster in an area so people can actually use this?

MCBAIN: As you said, it's a new initiative and we're really glad that the industry is working with us on it. It will be available from 1 October and the mobile network operators lead that and they're responsible for the operation of that capability during a disaster, to make sure that obviously if one network goes down that they are communicating so that the Temporary Disaster Roaming can be switched on and people will still have access to calls and texts in particular.

HOST: So, how will people know that their phone is able to take advantage of this roaming service? Will they get a notification or will it be obvious to them?

MCBAIN: Mobile network operators are working through what those processes will be. Obviously when a network goes down in a bushfire, for example, the notification process to turn it on, they're currently working through. But the user of the phone will know because they won't have that ‘no signal’. They will still have access on their phone, and they'll be able to see that on their screen.

HOST: So, will local authorities particularly or government be able to have any input to the telcos to help decide when this system should be switched on or is it purely up to the telcos to decide that?

MCBAIN: Yeah, obviously the telcos will need to talk amongst themselves. Activating it in a particular location will depend on a range of factors, including network availability, the overlapping coverage area and the capacity on the surviving network as well. So, those decisions will be made by the mobile network operator. Obviously, there'll be interaction between emergency agencies and the telcos to let them know that an area has gone down or we've lost power and one network is no longer operating.

HOST: Now, the telcos obviously have a major part in emergency response, but obviously their primary responsibility in an area of expertise is telecommunications, not emergency response. And knowing communities as intimately as, say, as a council does, for example. Do you foresee there needing to be more input from local authorities to make sure the people who truly are in a disaster situation are receiving this service?

MCBAIN: Yeah, as I said, there'll be a lot of interaction between emergency service agencies and telcos if Temporary Disaster Roaming is required to be turned on. The other thing we want to make sure of is that if it is turned on, that everyone still has coverage. So, you know, the call and text function is the most important function there. We don't want to see people using data in a disaster situation.

HOST: So, are you referring to towers potentially being overloaded and congested because so many people are trying to access it, thereby rendering a service like this redundant? You don't want to see that. Is that what you're referring to there?

MCBAIN: Look, we're really keen to see this in place. The Royal Commission into the Black Summer Bushfires spoke about the need and the necessity of Temporary Disaster Roaming. But it is really about making sure that people have access to emergency situations, emergency calls in a case where you've got bushfire, a flood or a cyclone and one of those providers goes down. We know in a range of areas that there is potentially only one provider anyway. So, it is really important that people understand that Temporary Disaster Roaming is another tool in the tool belt for emergency management. But it is not obviously the silver bullet for everything. You know, we have to continue to keep an eye on what local emergency services are telling us, as well as those warnings that you'll get, the potential AusAlert you may receive. So, it is really important to keep an eye out for those other avenues of advice.

HOST: So, to that point, you raise of multiple providers. I wanted to read you this text we got from Brad. He lives in North Arm, a hinterland area of the of the Sunshine Coast. He says this emergency roaming may be fine in more populated areas with multiple mobile service providers. However, in many remote areas, Telstra is the only option. If it goes down there is no other option. Even if the landlines fail in some areas because they rely on a satellite relay attached to mobile tower systems. He's experienced it in the far north. What would you say to someone like Brad?

MCBAIN: Brad's correct. In many parts of the country there is only one provider. So, Temporary Disaster Roaming, as I said, is one tool in the toolkit for emergency management, but it's not the silver bullet. It's really important to keep an eye on the local warnings around you, what your emergency services are saying, and keep an eye out for family, friends and neighbours. But this is another layer of protection for people. When we do have areas that have multiple telco providers, we can switch another service on.

HOST: Kristy McBain is here, Federal Minister for Emergency Management. That's one of the portfolios that she holds. Telstra has also said that this may come at a cost. Now I should be clear, they haven't said that Temporary Disaster Roaming will come at a cost, but if there's going to be more people on the network, then costs might need to be recovered in commercial arrangements and then passed on to the customer. And as I say, not in a disaster roaming situation, but perhaps elsewhere in services. Have you heard any feedback like that from Telstra and what's your understanding about how customers could be paying for this somewhere to make this a reality?

MCBAIN: Look, those discussions I assume are happening with the telcos themselves. As I said, this has been an industry-led initiative following that Royal Commission, and I think it's important that we have access to as many avenues of communication as possible during a disaster. But ultimately that will be up to the telcos, what they do there.

HOST: OK, so 1 October, it's not that far away. You talk about the mechanism for how this can be switched on, the telcos having that, but potentially more input from other local authorities. I mean, how much more do you want to see solidified in that sense before 1 October, or are you happy for that to play out once the service is operational?

MCBAIN: Yeah, I think our department is continuing to engage with all the telcos and the emergency service organisations to facilitate the rollout of the capability and we'll work through those transition processes. This is the first time it'll be turned on in Australia if it's required this season. So, you know, it's a really important capability. But we also, as I said, have to realise that it's not the only capability that we have in an emergency management situation.

HOST: Okay, I appreciate your time, Minister, thanks for coming on.

MCBAIN: Thanks so much, Tim.