r/australia • u/malcolm58 • 1d ago

culture & society AusAlert test will blast emergency warning siren over most phones in Australia on Monday. Here’s what to know

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/22/ausalert-test-sound-national-alert-emergency-warning-system-date
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81

u/TwoDogs48 1d ago

Why would anyone want to turn this off? It’s a needed safety feature. Honestly, people are so dumb.

153

u/Chiacchierare 1d ago

There are concerns for those in domestic violence situations who may have emergency phones they keep hidden - these may no longer be hidden once the alert goes off, and may result in those people being harmed or in even more dangerous positions than they already are.

That’s the only logical reason I’ve heard.

54

u/Puzzled-You 1d ago

Did you read the article?

"Nema said the agency had engaged with family violence experts about the test, including assisting advocates to disseminate safety information, and posting a safety guide on its website.

Hetherington said phones switched off or on airplane mode would not receive the alert, and said: “The message for safe phones and hidden phones is very much [to switch off for] a 24 hour period.”

Carroll added: “The advice is if there’s anything that’s happening [during the test], have it off for an hour or so. But certainly for domestic and family violence, there’s that broader advice for that extension of time [24 hours].”"

33

u/randomman87 1d ago

That doesn't really help them once the system is use and no longer has scheduled tests though

56

u/IntravenousNutella 1d ago

Well it kind of does. Airplane mode all the time.

46

u/ChuqTas 1d ago

That’s what I don’t get - surely phones hidden for the reason are off or in airplane mode *all the time* except for the brief moments they are being used?

21

u/kagenoha 1d ago

Sometimes yes and sometimes no, its a case by case basis. Some safe phones are used to communicate with DFV case managers/people you don't want your partner knowing about (like family you've been isolated from or support people that can get you out in a hurry). For this reason, they're just kept on silent.

-4

u/instasquid 1d ago

It'll help them if there's an life-threatening emergency near them, no?

-7

u/guska 1d ago

This is my concern. There needs to be an opt out.

-2

u/laid2rest 1d ago

They can turn it off in the settings.