MELBOURNE, July 22 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government will run a test of the new national mobile emergency warning system next Monday ahead of its full rollout in October, Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain confirmed on Wednesday.
McBain told reporters in Melbourne that the test of the AusAlert system will go ahead as planned at 2 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time on July 27 despite concerns from states and territories about how it will work with existing warning systems.
She said the test will assess the performance of the system, which will use cell-broadcast technology to send alerts directly to compatible mobile devices, and provide an opportunity for Australians to familiarize themselves with the warnings before the system is rolled out from October.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Wednesday that some state and territory governments had voiced concerns about whether AusAlert will be able to reach people using landline phones, which are more common in remote areas, and whether it will be compatible with existing local warning systems.
McBain said the federal government will ensure that the existing Emergency Alert system for landlines will operate alongside AusAlert during the upcoming severe weather season.
AusAlert was developed on the recommendation of the 2020 Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, which identified the need for a more modern, reliable and nationally consistent warning capability. ■
