Australia will conduct a national test of its new AusAlert emergency warning system on Monday, with a ten-second siren sounding on most mobile phones. The test, scheduled for 2pm AEST, is part of preparations for the system's full rollout in October, following recommendations from the royal commission into the 2019-20 black summer bushfires.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain called AusAlert 'more capable' and 'far superior' to existing SMS-based alerts, which have proven unreliable during disasters. However, some states, including Queensland and Western Australia, have expressed reservations, noting that the system will not reach landline phones, older devices, or those connected to satellite signals.
Domestic violence campaigners and the National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) have advised people with hidden 'safe phones' to turn off their devices for up to 24 hours after the test. The alarm will sound even if phones are on silent or do not disturb mode, potentially exposing such devices to abusers.
Nema's interim coordinator general, Pat Hetherington, confirmed that phones switched off or on airplane mode would not receive the alert. Women's safety groups, including Wesnet, have echoed this advice, recommending that hidden phones be turned off one hour before the test and kept off for 24 hours.
McBain acknowledged the concerns and said AusAlert is working to add voice alerts for landlines. The existing Emergency Alert system will continue to run alongside AusAlert during this year's high-risk weather season. States will not be forced to use the new system immediately.
