April 27, 2023
Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
Liberal Senator for South Australia
Senator James Paterson
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs
Shadow Minister for Cyber Security
Chair of the Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media
Liberal Senator for Victoria
Thursday 27 April 2023
The Albanese government must explain why it has rejected official requests from Ukraine for cyber assistance to help the nation defend against malicious Russian cyber attacks and information operations.
Ukrainian and Australian officials have acknowledged that Ukraine is fighting a hybrid war against Russia – one on the ground and one in the digital realm.
Wiper malware, DDoS attacks, cyber-enabled disinformation and attempted sabotage of critical infrastructure have all been weapons in Russia’s digital arsenal against Ukraine to undermine Ukrainian security, sovereignty, and national integrity.
Until now, Australia has a strong record of delivering cyber assistance to the Ukrainian government.
In government, the Coalition stood in solidarity with Ukraine and our allies to hold Russia to account for its malicious cyber attacks and information operations.
The Coalition delivered cyber security assistance to the Ukrainian government, including through defensive cyber training for Ukrainian officials and through the bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue.
Now is not the time for the Albanese Government to show any fatigue in support of Ukraine. The Coalition has called on this Labor Government for months now to deliver more support for Ukraine, consistent with Australia’s early position as the largest non-NATO contributor to Ukraine.
A comprehensive package of assistance should be provided to make sure that we continue to defend international laws and the rules-based order which are under direct attack by Russia through their invasion of Ukraine.
Given our current strategic circumstances in both the physical and cyber realm, the Albanese government needs to explain why additional cyber assistance for Ukraine is no longer required.
