Remote workers struggle with G2G

WE’VE GOT WI-FI IN THE HOUSE BUT, AS SOON AS YOU GO TO THE WORKSHOP OR LEAVE THE HOUSE, THERE’S NO MOBILE COVERAGE

ALEX LATTER

THE compliance monitoring app G2G has left remote residents confused after not being able to check in due to a lack of mobile coverage.

The app sends randomised check-in requests to people in the Territory who have travelled from interstate within the last 14-days – monitoring whether travellers are staying clear of exclusion zones.

Located in the Daly River area with no mobile coverage at all, Bonalbo Station worker Alex Latter recently travelled from NSW and is now asked to comply with the G2G app.

“If you’re out working and not around the house, you’re going to miss your check-in,” Ms Latter said.

“We’ve got Wi-Fi in the house but as soon as you go to the workshop or leave the house there’s no mobile coverage.”

Ms Latter said she has only been able to make a couple of her check-ins.

“You get a notification saying you’ve missed your checkin and they want to know the reason why,” she said.

A spokesman for NT Health said the people who opt out of using the G2G app were entered into the system for manual compliance checks and may receive a phone call or a physical compliance check.

“We haven’t had any phone calls or anything,” Ms Latter said.

Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association chief executive Will Evans said manual reporting was available for pastoral workers but with the volume of border arrivals increasing, the burden on this system would go up as well.

“We acknowledge the work of the Department of Health and Police in working to address issues around the G2G app,” Mr Evans said.

“It is vitally important these challenges are fixed as we begin to gear up for the start of the pastoral season when larger amounts of staff return to the Territory.”

He said the issue highlighted the importance of government investment in infrastructure and improving support for regional industries “that have contributed billions to the economy throughout the pandemic”.

NT Health confirmed failing to check-in was not an offence, nor was not using the G2G app. “However it is an offence to travel to or enter an excluded community unless the person is a resident or an essential worker,” an NT Health spokesman said.