The ACT's emergency services warning system was not tested before the 2025-26 high-risk weather season due to planned upgrades. Testing was conducted on December 11, 2025, to assess improvements, but the Canberra Liberals' Deborah Morris criticised the timing, saying it was too late.
ACT Emergency Services Minister Marisa Paterson defended the delay, stating that testing normally occurs before the season starts in October, but the system was undergoing development in late 2025. She said it was important to evaluate the system after improvements were finished and that nothing prevented testing within the season.
The testing revealed issues with both existing and new features, including problems with the emergency services website and the Hazards Near Me app. Dr Paterson said these issues were fixed by January 27 and did not impact warnings during January fires.
The ACT imposed three total fire bans in January and February 2026. Dr Paterson noted that while fire conditions were severe in other parts of Australia on the testing day, conditions in the ACT were low-risk.
