The federal government is being urged to force telecommunication companies to guarantee backup mobile phone coverage in high-risk bushfire zones.
Crossbench MP Rebekha Sharkie introduced a private bill to parliament on Monday that would require carriers to provide 24-hour standby power to allow mobile phone towers to operate in times of emergency.
"I do not want my community or others in high-risk bushfire areas to once again face the risk of zero communication with the outside world because the NBN does not work in a blackout," she told the lower house.
