Government Fails to Fill Key Triple Zero Role Over a Year After Optus Outage Review

Government's Triple Zero Custodian Remains Unstaffed Over a Year After Optus Outage Review More than a year after the review into Optus' emergency outage, which was linked to multiple deaths, the federal government has yet to staff an independent manager of the triple-zero emergency system. The role, known as the "custodian," was one of several key recommendations made by the review. Communications Minister Anika Wells acknowledged that the process had not moved quickly enough and expressed her intention to fast-track the appointment of a custodian. However, consumer advocacy bodies and the Greens have criticized the government for its slow response. "We want to see action, not just words," said Rachel Siewert, a senator from the Australian Greens. "The government has had over a year to get this right, but they're still dragging their feet." Wells stated that she was committed to implementing the review's recommendations and would work with regulators to expedite the process. She also mentioned plans to fast-track other changes arising from the latest Optus outage. "The establishment of a triple-zero custodian is an important step towards ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of our emergency services," Wells said. "I'm committed to getting this done as quickly as possible." The government's slow response has been met with criticism from consumer advocacy groups, who argue that it has failed to act swiftly enough to prevent future outages. "The government needs to take responsibility for its role in ensuring the reliability of our emergency services," said a spokesperson for the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). "We urge them to prioritize this issue and get on with implementing the review's recommendations." The Optus outage, which occurred last week, highlighted concerns about the telco's ability to provide reliable emergency services. The incident led to multiple deaths and widespread disruptions. The government has faced calls for multi-million dollar fines against Optus, with some arguing that the company should face even higher penalties. In response to the criticism, Wells emphasized her commitment to addressing the issues raised by the review and implementing changes to prevent future outages. "We're working hard to get this right," she said. "We'll continue to work with regulators and other stakeholders to ensure that our emergency services are reliable and effective." The appointment of a triple-zero custodian is expected to be a key part of the government's efforts to address the issues raised by the review. However, it remains to be seen whether the government will meet its commitment to fast-track the process. As the government continues to work on implementing the review's recommendations, consumer advocacy groups and the Greens are urging them to prioritize this issue and take swift action to prevent future outages. *Reporting by Theguardian.*