Tony Burke ‘driving a Chinese listening device’

The new Cyber Security Minister is driving a vehicle that Chinese authorities have barred from sensitive sites due to security concerns

Cyber Security Minister Tony Burke in Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

Cyber Security Minister Tony Burke is continuing to drive a Chinese-made electric vehicle that has been likened to a “listening device” on wheels.

Under questioning in a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Monday, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt confirmed Mr Burke was still using a make of car that even Chinese authorities prohibit from entering sensitive locations due to concerns about its security. The brand of car, which was not specified in the hearing, has also been banned from being imported into the US.

“Immediately on being appointed to this portfolio, Minister Burke informed his department and security agencies that he had a Chinese-made vehicle, was given advice on the appropriate precautions to take, and has taken those precautions,” Mr Watt said.

Department of Home Affairs’ Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group deputy secretary Hamish Hansford earlier confirmed the department was looking at the security implications of connected vehicles generally, amid concerns about their ability to record both conversations within the vehicles, and footage from cameras inside and outside the vehicles.

Liberal Senator James Paterson seized on the revelations, and questioned why the minister was continuing to drive around “in a Chinese listening device”.

“We just heard from Mr Hansford earlier, the large number of national security and cyber security risks posed by these vehicles, including that they can listen to the occupants; that they can film people outside the vehicle where the vehicle is travelling; that it can track where the vehicle is travelling; that it’s a risk to a mobile phone that is plugged into the vehicle – is it really appropriate for the Minister of Home Affairs and Cyber Security to be driving a Chinese-made connected electric vehicle?” Senator Paterson asked.

Mr Watt said Mr Burke was acting in accordance with the advice of his department and security agencies.

“Perhaps you don’t share this view, Senator, but I have confidence in our security agencies and the advice that they provide to ministers,” Mr Watt said.