Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull outlines $230 million cyber safety plan

RECENT online attacks have prompted the federal government to announce a $230 million cyber safety plan, comprised of 33 different strategies to hit back at the hackers.

THE Australian Government has the tools to launch a cyber attack and they’re not afraid to use them.

That was the message of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull today in announcing a $230 million cyber security plan.

Speaking at Australian Technology Park in Sydney this morning, Mr Turnbull said he hoped speaking frankly about the nation’s “offensive” cyber capabilities would act as a deterrent.

“The government can draw on a range of options to respond, such as law enforcement, diplomatic, or economic measures,” he said.

“An offensive cyber capability housed in the Australian Signals Directorate provides another option for government to respond.

“The use of such a capability is subject to stringent legal oversight and is consistent with our support for the international rules-based order and our obligations under international law.”

The plan, comprised of 33 measures designed to beef up Australia’s cyber safety, comes in response to a number of recent attacks.

This includes the “significant cyber intrusion” of the Bureau of Meteorology last year and a similar breach at the Department of Parliamentary Services, Mr Turnbull said.

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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced the creation of a ‘Cyber Ambassador’ as part of a new plan to go on the offensive against online crime. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“Now as your PM, my highest duty and that of my government is to keep Australians safe,” he said.

“It is no different in cyber space.

“Australians expect the government to protect them from cyber attack and defend our country against sophisticated, national security threats.”

The strategy includes boosting powers of the Australian Corruption and Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police, as well as the creation of more than 100 new specialist jobs.

Mr Turnbull said as part of the plan Foreign Minister Julie Bishop would appoint a Cyber Ambassador.

He said joint cyber threat centres and secure online sharing networks would also be introduced.

And said he wanted Australia to “lead the world” in cyber security.

“And we have the brains and the imagination to do so,” he said.

Mr Turnbull said the government would also attempt to employ cyber weapons in the fight against terrorism.

“It is important in healthy democracies to have debates about the balance between civil liberty and national security; few issues are more important,” he said.

“But in certain very specific circumstances government will work with the private sector within agreed legal frameworks and appropriate oversight to fight serious online crime and extremism.

“And to thwart terrorists and others who seek to hide their illegal activities online.”