TOTT News

Australia’s largest telecommunications provider has warned a “health scare campaign” about the upcoming 5G mobile network is gaining momentum.

Telstra have called on the government to “quickly and respectfully” address community fears about the network, an inquiry submission says.

A researcher has warned that new 5G capabilities will enhance the sophisticated apparatus of surveillance technologies used by Australian intelligence networks.

The installation of new ‘small cell’ boxes will allow authorities the ability to obtain more precise details for controversial anti-encryption and metadata schemes.

Telco giants have been met with further roadblocks in the race towards 5G, with more regions successfully campaigning to reject future tower proposals.

The Lathlain and Currumbin Valley regions have recently won bids to appeal both tower and mobile base station installations, following on from similar victories in the Sutherland Shire region last month.

The Australian government is in damage control after a loophole revealed councils were subjected to liabilities for fluoridation programs — moving to exclude the toxin from the Therapeutics Goods Act (TGA).

On the latest episode of the General Knowledge Podcast, Ethan Nash from TOTT News and General Maddox from Real News Australia discuss new developments in the fluoridation saga, ‘small cell’ installations blocked, online privacy and more.

Sutherland Shire Council is making a last-ditch effort to stop Telstra mobile phone installations going ahead at Lilli Pilli, Kareela and Engadine.

A council meeting held earlier this week approved an appeal against Telstra mounting ‘small cell’ installations on community infrastructure.

Telstra has been hit with a formal warning by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) for failing to comply with regulations governing the deployment of mobile base stations.

The investigation comes as Telstra ignores growing concerns by Australian residents regarding the technology, while they continue ramping up efforts to capitalise on the next generation rollout.

The Australian government has appointed Paul Fletcher, a former Optus Director, as the new Communications Minister — responsible for advising cabinet and regulating projects from 5G to ‘smart cities’.

Telecommunications giants have welcomed the new announcement, while many critics are calling the appointment a fundamental conflict of interest after a long history of involvement in the industry.

The Lord Mayor of Darwin has defended the launch of new surveillance capabilities in the region, after the nation’s smallest capital city just finished the fastest rollout of ‘smart city’ technologies in the country.

The $10 million “Switching on Darwin” project has rolled out more than 900 “smart” LED lights, 24 environmental sensors, parking sensors, free wi-fi and a network of 138 new CCTV cameras throughout the Darwin CBD.

Residents in the Illawarra region have successfully forced attention to the aerial spraying of harmful chemicals in natural environments, while 5G groups hope to achieve the same with upcoming rallies.

On the latest episode of the General Knowledge Podcast, Ethan Nash from TOTT News and General Maddox & Andy from Real News Australia discuss the RoundUp saga in NSW, the latest developments in the 5G rollout, the Christchurch shooting and much more.

Australians are fighting back against 5G technology, with local community action groups scheduling a number of protests and forums to oppose the national rollout in the next fortnight.

The following page gives a brief overview of the timeline of 5G technologies in Australia and a list of existing rallies planned across the country,