Australia: The Australian government has announced that the country will remove Chinese-made security cameras at defence sites, admitting there is a potential security problem that needs to be addressed. The move comes after an audit conducted by Mr. James Paterson, the shadow cybersecurity minister.
The audit eventually confirmed that more than 900 products built by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua are installed at government locations.
The audit further found that cameras and security gear were located on more than 200 buildings in almost every department, including the foreign affairs and attorney general’s departments.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented that he did not believe removing the cameras would have an impact on diplomatic relations with China.
“We act in accordance with Australia’s national interest, we do so transparently, and that’s what we’ll continue to do,” the Prime Minister remarked.
Mr. Richard Marles, the Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, recently stated that the government would find and remove the cameras from any defence locations to make them “completely secure.”
“I don’t think we should overstate the seriousness. But it’s a significant thing that’s been brought to our attention, and we’re going to fix it,” Mr. Marles remarked, adding the devices predated his time in office.
Attorney General Mark Dreyfus stated that the government will review whether the cameras on other government buildings need to be removed as well.
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