The Nationals WA: Regional WA Left Without Lifeline as Mobile Networks Fail During Emergencies

Leader of The Nationals WA, Shane Love MLA, has condemned Telstra and the Federal Government over repeated failures of mobile phone services during bushfire and medical emergencies in regional Western Australia, describing the situation as reprehensible.

Mr Love said communities across the State were being left dangerously exposed when communications failed at the exact moment lives depended on them.

On Monday afternoon, as residents in parts of Darling Downs and Hilbert faced an out-of-control bushfire, mobile coverage failed, with Telstra later confirming network upgrades caused a 35-minute outage during the emergency.

"That is completely unacceptable, but unfortunately it is not isolated," Mr Love said.

In December, landholders in the Mid-West were forced to defend their properties during a major bushfire without mobile reception.

"People were fighting a fast moving, dangerous fire with little more than two-way radios. In Warrardage alone fire burnt more than 13,000 hectares." Mr Love said.

"It should never be that hard to communicate in an emergency. This is 2026."

Mr Love said it's not just bushfire emergencies being impacted, citing a tragic case in his Mid-West electorate where a triple zero call dropped out while a woman was receiving CPR instructions for her partner, who was in cardiac arrest. Her partner died.

"Australians are told to trust the system and dial 000 in an emergency. But that trust means nothing if the Telstra network collapses when it matters most," he said.

Mr Love said what is most concerning is that for months, residents across the Mid-West have been reporting unreliable coverage. Complaints have continually been lodged, faults are known by both Telstra and the federal government, and nothing has been done.

"Will it take multiple deaths for something to be done? One is too many in my view," he said.

"The solution is simple, well understood, and has already been promised. Phone towers must have permanent backup generators and Automatic Transfer Units installed so they can immediately switch to generator power when the grid goes down," he said.

"So why has this still not happened?"

Mr Love said poor mobile coverage is crippling local economies and everyday life, not just during emergencies but every single day.

"In some towns, people cannot reliably work or study from home, and businesses cannot process EFTPOS payments, take bookings, or operate effectively," he said.

Mr Love has called on the Federal Government to strengthen oversight of telecommunications providers.

"Regional Western Australians deserve reliable communications," he said.

"Our lives, our safety, and our emergency response quite literally depend on it."