At the National Press Club this week, the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security, the Hon Claire O’Neil laid out the Government’s vision for how Home Affairs will “rise up to the challenges facing Australia.”
This includes developing a revised cyber security strategy to replace the 2020 strategy, as well as changes to the migration system and preparing the country to face the increasing threat of climate change.
In her full address, the Minister highlighted Optus and Medibank Private cyberattacks as “the worst in Australian history”, occurring within three weeks of each other in September and October. She said, “Two months ago, the National Australian Bank told Australians that they are subject to 50 million attempted cyberattacks a month; the Australian Taxation Office, 3 million a month. This threat is huge, it is relentless and it is only getting bigger.”
“I want Australia to be the world’s most cyber-secure country by 2030. I believe that is possible. But we need a reset, and a pathway to get there. That’s why today, I am announcing a major program of work to develop a new Cyber Security Strategy for Australia.”
The Cyber Security Strategy will be developed with Andy Penn, the former CEO of Telstra, Rachael Falk, CEO of the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, Mel Hupfeld, former Chief of Air Force, and former UK National Cyber Security Centre CEO and eminent Oxford University Professor Ciaran Martin. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Assistant Minister Tim Watts will also be involved.
The Minister concluded, “The issues that will define the lives of my children and my grandchildren are not bikies and boat people. They are how Australian governments manage climate change, navigate our interests with regard to China, and protect Australians in the face of the biggest shift in the global world order since the Second World War.
Two ideas are foundational to my approach to politics. When Australia needs to change, we cannot afford to look back. Our goal is transformation, not restoration.”
