Media Release - Triple Zero Senate Inquiry uncovers another death - 9 December 2025

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

Tuesday, 9 December 2025 

Triple Zero Senate Inquiry uncovers another death

This morning in a Senate Inquiry hearing into the Triple Zero network, TPG Telecom has revealed another tragic death has occurred, relates to the Samsung devices that are incompatible with the network.

In late October, it was identified that 71 Samsung mobile device models were not correctly connecting to the Triple Zero network. Australians were told 11 devices would no longer be operable and 60 devices required a software update to correct the issue. Impacted Australians were advised they had 28 days to act before their phones would be blocked from the network.

Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh MP said, “it is sickening to hear this morning that there has been another death, this time in Wentworth Falls, NSW related to an incompatible Samsung handset”.

“They attempted to call Triple Zero from their Samsung device, and this call failed. In this person’s greatest time of need they could not access help.”

“Just a few weeks ago I issued a public safety announcement about the thousands of devices not able to connect with Triple Zero, due to the government’s failed 3G shutdown, and the Minister for Communications and the Albanese Labor government have done nothing.

“This is extremely sad news, and every Australian has the right to be very angry with the Government’s lack of care and failure to protect all Australians.

“Rather than deal with this Triple Zero crisis, the Minister left the country to go to New York when her focus should have been here at home in Australia.

“These devices not being able to connect to Triple Zero is a public safety risk. I am appalled the Albanese Labor Government, the Minister for Communications, and ACMA as the regulator have failed to urgently act in the interests of all Australians.

“I am again urging all Australians with one of these Samsung devices to act on the message they have received to either update their software or get a new device. If you have one of the 71 Samsung devices, I urge you to update your software urgently or contact your telco provider.

“The Albanese Labor Government must get its priorities in order. The Minister is the steward of the Triple Zero network. The Minister is the steward of the Triple Zero network but has been missing in action, and the new triple zero custodian is nowhere to be seen.

ENDS