❓ Mr. Kirkup questions the government's cybersecurity measures, citing 20.5 million attacks since Labor's election and raising concerns about foreign interference. The Minister dismisses the link between the election and attacks, highlighting global trends and the government's increased focus on cybersecurity.
AnsweredQoN 769Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CYBERSECURITY — BLOOMBERG INVESTIGATION
769. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Innovation and
ICT:
I have a supplementary question.
Given the United States and Australian governments' concern about
foreign interference and control of ICT systems and the value chain associated
with that, what has the government done to evaluate the significant risk posed
to Western Australia, considering that we have had more than 20.5 million
attacks on our network since Labor was elected?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : What work
has the government undertaken to identify the risks associated with foreign
interference, including companies such as Supermicro; and will the minister
undertake to provide a report to Parliament on this important issue?
769. Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP to the Minister for Innovation and
ICT:
I have a supplementary question.
Given the United States and Australian governments' concern about
foreign interference and control of ICT systems and the value chain associated
with that, what has the government done to evaluate the significant risk posed
to Western Australia, considering that we have had more than 20.5 million
attacks on our network since Labor was elected?
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : What work
has the government undertaken to identify the risks associated with foreign
interference, including companies such as Supermicro; and will the minister
undertake to provide a report to Parliament on this important issue?
AnswerView source ↗
That was probably the longest
supplementary question we have had today other than some of the other ones that
have been dragged out by other members opposite.
The SPEAKER : Minister, get to
the point.
Mr D.J. KELLY : What was the
figure used?
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup : It was more
than 20.5 million.
Mr D.J. KELLY : That is since
we came into government. If the member knew anything about this issue, he would
know that month on month government agencies across the world are subjected to
millions of cybersecurity attacks. That is nothing to do —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr D.J. KELLY : That is
nothing to do with something that happened since we were elected.
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member, you had
your opportunity.
Mr D.J. KELLY : Trying to link
the election of the McGowan Labor government with the number of attempted
cybersecurity attacks on the Western Australian government shows the nonsense
that the member for Dawesville is prone to espousing in this place. Governments
and corporations across the world are subjected to these attacks month in,
month out. A large number of them are automated and random. They are attacks
that roam the internet looking for a place, a weakness, nothing to do
whatsoever —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr D.J. KELLY : As I indicated,
we have done more to raise the issue of cybersecurity within the public sector
in the last 18 months than the previous government did in eight and a half years.
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member, you had
your opportunity.
Mr D.J. KELLY : Clearly, the
member for Dawesville does not know what he is talking about.
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup : I don't
know what I'm talking about! Mate, listen to you go.
The SPEAKER : Members, we have
nearly finished question time.
Mr D.J. KELLY : If the member
really wants to come in here and deal with this issue in a serious way, he
should come up with some serious questions.
The SPEAKER : That is the end
of question time.
supplementary question we have had today other than some of the other ones that
have been dragged out by other members opposite.
The SPEAKER : Minister, get to
the point.
Mr D.J. KELLY : What was the
figure used?
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup : It was more
than 20.5 million.
Mr D.J. KELLY : That is since
we came into government. If the member knew anything about this issue, he would
know that month on month government agencies across the world are subjected to
millions of cybersecurity attacks. That is nothing to do —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr D.J. KELLY : That is
nothing to do with something that happened since we were elected.
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member, you had
your opportunity.
Mr D.J. KELLY : Trying to link
the election of the McGowan Labor government with the number of attempted
cybersecurity attacks on the Western Australian government shows the nonsense
that the member for Dawesville is prone to espousing in this place. Governments
and corporations across the world are subjected to these attacks month in,
month out. A large number of them are automated and random. They are attacks
that roam the internet looking for a place, a weakness, nothing to do
whatsoever —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr D.J. KELLY : As I indicated,
we have done more to raise the issue of cybersecurity within the public sector
in the last 18 months than the previous government did in eight and a half years.
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member, you had
your opportunity.
Mr D.J. KELLY : Clearly, the
member for Dawesville does not know what he is talking about.
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup : I don't
know what I'm talking about! Mate, listen to you go.
The SPEAKER : Members, we have
nearly finished question time.
Mr D.J. KELLY : If the member
really wants to come in here and deal with this issue in a serious way, he
should come up with some serious questions.
The SPEAKER : That is the end
of question time.
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