Media release - Labor blocks Parliamentary inquiry into Triple Zero system

Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Women
Federal Member for Lindsay

8 October 2025

LABOR BLOCKS PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY INTO TRIPLE ZERO SYSTEM

The Albanese Labor Government has arrogantly used its numbers to block the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry into the vital Triple Zero system.

Today, Shadow Minister for Communications Melissa McIntosh and Shadow Minister for Regional Communications Dr Anne Webster, moved a motion which, if passed, would have created a House Select Committee to report into the health of Australia’s emergency call service.

Labor did not offer any explanation as to why they chose to block more transparency into the triple zero system.

Shadow Minister for Communications, Mrs Melissa McIntosh, said the Albanese Labor Government was avoiding scrutiny and dodging responsibility.

“The simple truth is that because of the mismanagement of Optus and the Minister for Communications, many Australians no longer have confidence in triple 000,” Mrs McIntosh said.

“I invited the government to support my motion and work with the Opposition in the national interest - it’s disappointing that they have chosen instead to play politics with this issue.

“Why is the government and the Communications Minister hiding from a parliamentary inquiry into the Triple Zero system which has failed on their watch?

“Lives were lost during the recent network outages. The Australian community wants answers.

“A parliamentary inquiry would’ve ensured we know what went wrong and how to fix government processes to ensure outage fatalities do not happen again.”