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Asio hacking claim won't hurt China ties, says Carr Asio hacking claim won't hurt Australia - China ties, says Carr
(about 3 hours later)
Claims that Chinese hackers stole top-secret blueprints of spy agency Asio's new headquarters will not threaten bilateral ties, the Australian foreign minister, Bob Carr, has said.Claims that Chinese hackers stole top-secret blueprints of spy agency Asio's new headquarters will not threaten bilateral ties, the Australian foreign minister, Bob Carr, has said.
Carr has refused to confirm ABC reports that the cyber attack netted documents containing details of the multi-million dollar building's floor plan, communications cabling layouts, server locations and security systems.Carr has refused to confirm ABC reports that the cyber attack netted documents containing details of the multi-million dollar building's floor plan, communications cabling layouts, server locations and security systems.
Concern has been spreading about widespread state-sponsored hacking emanating from China, with further allegations its cyber spies have recently obtained sensitive Australian military secrets and foreign affairs documents.Concern has been spreading about widespread state-sponsored hacking emanating from China, with further allegations its cyber spies have recently obtained sensitive Australian military secrets and foreign affairs documents.
Carr said the government was "very alive" to emerging cyber-security threats but refused to confirm the ABC's specific claims on Tuesday.Carr said the government was "very alive" to emerging cyber-security threats but refused to confirm the ABC's specific claims on Tuesday.
"I won't comment on whether the Chinese have done what is being alleged or not," he told Sky News."I won't comment on whether the Chinese have done what is being alleged or not," he told Sky News.
"I won't comment on matters of intelligence and security for the obvious reason: we don't want to share with the world and potential aggressors what we know about what they might be doing, and how they might be doing it.""I won't comment on matters of intelligence and security for the obvious reason: we don't want to share with the world and potential aggressors what we know about what they might be doing, and how they might be doing it."
In parliament on Tuesday the prime minister, Julia Gillard, referred to "these inaccurate reports", but without elaborating on which elements of the reports were wrong.In parliament on Tuesday the prime minister, Julia Gillard, referred to "these inaccurate reports", but without elaborating on which elements of the reports were wrong.
Carr said the claims did not jeopardise Australia's new strategic partnership with China.Carr said the claims did not jeopardise Australia's new strategic partnership with China.
"It's got absolutely no implications for a strategic partnership. We have enormous areas of co-operation with China.""It's got absolutely no implications for a strategic partnership. We have enormous areas of co-operation with China."
The Asio building, being built near Australia's top secret Defence Signals Directorate, is supposed to have some of the most sophisticated hacking defences in the country.The Asio building, being built near Australia's top secret Defence Signals Directorate, is supposed to have some of the most sophisticated hacking defences in the country.
But its construction had been plagued by delays and cost blowouts, with some builders blaming late changes made to the internal design in response to cyber attacks.But its construction had been plagued by delays and cost blowouts, with some builders blaming late changes made to the internal design in response to cyber attacks.
Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei was last year barred from bidding for construction contracts on the national broadband network amid fears of cyber espionage.Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei was last year barred from bidding for construction contracts on the national broadband network amid fears of cyber espionage.
Shadow attorney-general George Brandis said the government needed to properly resource all national security agencies to counter cyber attacks, amid reports that public service efficiency measures have undermined their capabilities.Shadow attorney-general George Brandis said the government needed to properly resource all national security agencies to counter cyber attacks, amid reports that public service efficiency measures have undermined their capabilities.
A "no comment" from the government was not good enough, he said. "It's more than an operational matter because it goes to the integrity of the new Asio headquarters."A "no comment" from the government was not good enough, he said. "It's more than an operational matter because it goes to the integrity of the new Asio headquarters."
Brandis said he was seeking an urgent briefing from David Irvine, the head of Asio.Brandis said he was seeking an urgent briefing from David Irvine, the head of Asio.
Gillard said all Australia's intelligence agencies were in a position to keep the country safe with their current resources.Gillard said all Australia's intelligence agencies were in a position to keep the country safe with their current resources.
"I reject any suggestion that funding to Australia's intelligence agencies has been cut," she said."I reject any suggestion that funding to Australia's intelligence agencies has been cut," she said.
The Greens have called for a full inquiry. Christine Milne, the party's leader, said there had been a security blunder of epic proportions and the government needed to explain itself.The Greens have called for a full inquiry. Christine Milne, the party's leader, said there had been a security blunder of epic proportions and the government needed to explain itself.
"The government is now going to have to come out and explain to people how there won't be a long-term security impact and what measures they are going to take to overcome whatever the damage is.""The government is now going to have to come out and explain to people how there won't be a long-term security impact and what measures they are going to take to overcome whatever the damage is."
The independent senator Nick Xenophon said the government needed to be more open about what had happened. "It seems now the government is hiding behind the cloak of national security to cover up a very embarrassing situation," he said.The independent senator Nick Xenophon said the government needed to be more open about what had happened. "It seems now the government is hiding behind the cloak of national security to cover up a very embarrassing situation," he said.
The Liberal senator Eric Abetz questioned senior officials in the department of prime minister and cabinet on the matter in Senate estimates hearings on Tuesday. "What went wrong?" Abetz asked.The Liberal senator Eric Abetz questioned senior officials in the department of prime minister and cabinet on the matter in Senate estimates hearings on Tuesday. "What went wrong?" Abetz asked.
But national security adviser Margot McCarthy reiterated that it was government policy not to comment on intelligence.But national security adviser Margot McCarthy reiterated that it was government policy not to comment on intelligence.
Reports on Monday from the US said designs for more than two dozen American weapons systems had been compromised by Chinese hackers.Reports on Monday from the US said designs for more than two dozen American weapons systems had been compromised by Chinese hackers.
Citing a report by the Defence Science Board, the Washington Post said the compromised designs included combat aircraft and ships, as well as missile defence systems vital for Europe, Asia and the Gulf.Citing a report by the Defence Science Board, the Washington Post said the compromised designs included combat aircraft and ships, as well as missile defence systems vital for Europe, Asia and the Gulf.
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