James Stevens, Rebekha Sharkie reveal Chinese cameras installed at their electorate offices

Security cameras made by a company with links to the Chinese Communist Party have been found at two South Australian MPs’ offices.

Chinese Communist Party-linked surveillance cameras have been in use at the neighbourhood electorate offices of at least two South Australian federal MPs, it can be revealed.

After inquiries from The Advertiser, Sturt MP James Stevens revealed five Hikvision branded cameras were operating at his Norwood office on The Parade.

Independent Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie also came forward to announce multiple cameras of the same brand were in use at her electorate office in Mt Barker.

Mr Stevens and Ms Sharkie are just two of some 88 federal politicians whose electorate offices have been using the controversial devices, which will all be removed by the end of April.

The identities of the majority of the 88 MPs are unknown, but The Advertiser contacted all 22 SA federal politicians inviting any to come forward with security concerns. So far, only Mr Stevens and Ms Sharkie have said their offices used Chinese-branded cameras.

Hikvision is a video surveillance equipment manufacturer partly owned by the Chinese Communist Party and headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang.

The use of the devices, and those manufactured by another part Chinese government-owned company called Dahua, have been restricted in the US and Britain over spying concerns.

Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie said Hikvision cameras have been in use at her Mt Barker electorate office …

… and five of the same brand devices have been operating at Sturt MP James Stevens’s Norwood office.

The two companies are subject to Chinese security laws, requiring them to hand over data to Beijing intelligence services if ordered.

Both Mr Stevens and Ms Sharkie said their electorate office cameras were not connected to any network.

“We first became aware of the safety concerns when it was reported in the media,” Mr Stevens said.

“I sought advice from the Department of Finance who have confirmed that the five cameras in my EO (electorate office) are Hikvision cameras.

“Importantly, our cameras only record the public areas of my office, are not networked, and do not record audio.”

Mr Stevens said the finance department would replace all cameras.

Ms Sharkie was unable to confirm the exact number of devices in use at her office.

“Given the information that has recently come to light regarding Hikvision cameras, it is of concern that Commonwealth offices such as mine have them installed,” she said.

“However, my understanding is that the cameras are not connected to a network and therefore do not pose any significant risks, but they will be replaced shortly nonetheless.

“In today’s era of cybercrime and data breaches it is imperative that all Australians remain vigilant with security when it comes to technology.”

A finance department spokeswoman said all Hikvision and Dahua security devices would be replaced from all electorate offices by the end of April.

The Defence Department is conducting an exhaustive audit all its 30,000 building assets across the country to eliminate any Chinese-linked surveillance devices.

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