Australia-Britain cyber pact to shape a ‘secure’ internet

Australia and the UK have agreed to a new cyber and critical technology partnership following high-level ministerial meetings on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne. Picture: AFP

Australia and Britain have agreed to a cyber and critical technology partnership following high-level ministerial meetings on Thursday, as the countries seek to strengthen ties and work together to tackle ­“malign” actors in the Indo-­Pacific region.

Scott Morrison is hosting Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and ­Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in Sydney this week as part of AUKMIN talks to discuss how the allies can bolster diplomatic relations in the face of rising authoritarian regimes.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the partnership would shape a ­“positive” and “secure” internet environment.

She said the policy would be centred around four pillars: “tackling malign actors; promoting our values and positive vision for technology; strengthening global technology supply chains; and harnessing technology to solve global challenges”.

“Given the significant impact that new technologies have on our societies, co-operation on cyber security and critical technologies is an essential part of the modern UK-Australia relationship,” she said.

“This partnership brings together two longstanding friends and allies who will work together to ensure we shape a positive technology landscape for all. An open, safe and secure cyberspace and technologies that work for people, not against them, is key to our combined future.”

Under the new policy, the two countries will push to raise the costs for hostile state activity in cyberspace and strengthen the resilience and response capabil­ities of countries in the Indo-­Pacific region. They will also develop a plan to ensure “global standard-­setting” for cyberspace as well as advance the goal of boosting women’s roles in cyber and international security.

Senator Payne said Australia was committed to working with Britain to challenge actors who used technology to “undermine freedom and democracy” and highlighted the need for an open internet environment, noting all countries needed to operate tech­no­logical policies in line with international laws.