Federal Budget 2016: Millions spent on a ‘cyber ambassador’ in mega online security package

The Turnbull Government will spend some serious cash on a ‘Cyber Ambassador’ in the 2016 Budget. But what exactly will the job entail?

The Turnbull Government will spend millions on digital safety as part of its 2016 Budget. Picture: Supplied

THE full cost of keeping Australia safe from cyber terrorism has been revealed, with the Federal Budget allocating $2.7 million for a globetrotting “Cyber Ambassador” and $10 million for a public education campaign to stop computer users clicking on malicious web links.

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The wide-reaching $230 million Cyber Safety Strategy package will also include an extra $36.4 million to help the Australian Federal Police and Australian Crime Commission fight online crime, $12.3 million to assess vulnerabilities in government systems, and $3.5 million for cyber security educational institutions.

Measures to boost online security and counter digital terrorism have been outlined in the 2016 Budget, worth $230 million. Picture: ThinkStock

A further $38.8 million will be spent moving the Australian Cyber Security Centre from its current home in Canberra.

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison said the package, developed in response to the Cyber Security Review, would also feature public-private partnerships “to back Australian businesses to develop and promote their cyber security capabilities globally”.

Deputy Prime Minister Julie Bishop will be in charge of appointing Australia’s first Cyber Ambassador, though it’s not yet clear what the $2.7 million role will entail.

Australian Computer Society chief executive Andrew Johnson welcomed the spending package, saying Australia suffered “from a lack of skilled cyber security professionals”.

Originally published as Federal Budget 2016: Millions spent on a ‘cyber ambassador’ in mega online security package