November 16, 2023
The Albanese government’s cyber security agenda has been dealt a blow by the sidelining of its top cyber official, Air Marshal Darren Goldie, over a workplace complaint.
The Australian understands the complaint over alleged past behaviour was brought to the attention of Defence just over a week ago.
The Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, ordered Air Marshal Goldie – one of the RAAF’s most senior commanders – to be recalled from his secondment as cyber security co-ordinator for the matter to be dealt with under ADF disciplinary processes.
The three-star commander’s removal from the key cyber role comes as the government prepares to release its long-awaited cyber security strategy this month, and follows the DP World hack last Friday that threw the nation’s freight movements into chaos.
The Defence Department said the workplace matter “related to his time in Defence”, but no further details were available.
“He is currently on leave. While the matter is under consideration it would be inappropriate to comment further,” it said.
“The welfare of our people remains our priority and it is requested that Air Marshal Goldie’s privacy is respected at this time.”
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil’s office said she had “been informed” that her top cyber official had been recalled.
She announced her department’s deputy secretary for cyber security Hamish Hansford would act in the role.
Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson said he was concerned by Air Marshal Goldie’s “incredibly abrupt departure”, and “the lack of transparency about why this was necessary”.
“We are in an extremely heightened cyber threat environment and the government promised we would have a co-ordinator to manage our response,” Senator Paterson said.
“They must swiftly resolve any issues relating to Air Marshal Goldie or appoint a permanent replacement.”
The respected commander and experienced C130 Hercules pilot was installed as the nation’s inaugural cyber security co-ordinator just five months ago.
He was lauded by Anthony Albanese at the time, suggesting a bright career ahead.
“Air Marshal Goldie has served his country with distinction for more than 30 years through various roles with the Royal Australian Air Force, most recently as Air Commander Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
“As the Air Commander Australia, Air Marshal Goldie has been responsible for building capability and resilience for the Royal Australian Air Force.”
His recall to Defence followed the Australian Signals Directorate’s release of its annual cyber threat assessment, which revealed a surge in cyber crime and warned the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership had made Australia a prime target for state-sponsored hackers.
Defence Minister Richard Marles told parliament on Wednesday the “worsening cyber threat” would require greater investment in cyber security.
“We are seeing an increase in cyber crime,” he said. “We are also seeing an increase in the interests of state actors in our critical infrastructure including our defence, and that includes an increase in the interests in our work on acquiring a nuclear-powered submarine capability under the banner of AUKUS.”
As cyber security co-ordinator, Air Marshal Goldie was responsible for driving policy change to ensure Australia was in a strong position to respond to ever-increasing cyber threats.
“The co-ordinator will lead national cyber security policy, the co-ordination of responses to major cyber incidents, whole-of-government cyber incident preparedness efforts, and strengthening of commonwealth cyber security capability,” the federal government said when he was appointed to the newly-created position.
Air Marshal Goldie clocked up 5000 flying hours as a pilot, including during operations in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.
A decorated officer, he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in 2012 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015.
