❓ Question regarding a contract awarded to Huawei for the Perth rail network, raising concerns about security risks given the Commonwealth's stance on Huawei's involvement in Australia's 5G network. The answer assures that due diligence and cybersecurity advice were sought, confirming no security risk.
AnsweredQoN 701Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS — HUAWEI
701. Hon CHARLES SMITH to the minister representing the Minister
for Planning:
I refer to the commonwealth's decision last week to
effectively block the Chinese-owned telecommunications company Huawei from
involvement in Australia's 5G network due to security concerns. In a ministerial
statement, the commonwealth stated that it had blocked vendors —
� likely to be subject to
extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflict with
Australian law.
(1) Given the
longstanding security concerns relating to Huawei, why did the Premier allow
the Minister for Transport to commit to a $205 million contract with the
Chinese state-owned company for the Perth rail network without taking the
contentious decision to cabinet for final approval?
(2) Can the
state government provide any assurances to the people of Western Australia that
the security and integrity of the Perth rail telecommunications system and its
data will not be compromised by a company that is known to cooperate in Beijing's
intelligence-gathering activities?
701. Hon CHARLES SMITH to the minister representing the Minister
for Planning:
I refer to the commonwealth's decision last week to
effectively block the Chinese-owned telecommunications company Huawei from
involvement in Australia's 5G network due to security concerns. In a ministerial
statement, the commonwealth stated that it had blocked vendors —
� likely to be subject to
extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflict with
Australian law.
(1) Given the
longstanding security concerns relating to Huawei, why did the Premier allow
the Minister for Transport to commit to a $205 million contract with the
Chinese state-owned company for the Perth rail network without taking the
contentious decision to cabinet for final approval?
(2) Can the
state government provide any assurances to the people of Western Australia that
the security and integrity of the Perth rail telecommunications system and its
data will not be compromised by a company that is known to cooperate in Beijing's
intelligence-gathering activities?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. I am answering this question on behalf of the Minister for Transport,
not the Minister for Planning.
(1)–(2)
Cabinet approval for the radio systems replacement project, including funding,
was given in the 2015–16 budget process and was reviewed and endorsed
by cabinet in subsequent budget processes. The Public Transport Authority
undertook the procurement process to award the contract, undertaking the
appropriate due diligence and probity processes, whilst keeping the Minister
for Transport informed as required. This process included seeking and
implementing cybersecurity advice from experts, including the relevant
commonwealth security agencies, which confirmed that there was no security risk
for the radio systems replacement project to proceed.
question. I am answering this question on behalf of the Minister for Transport,
not the Minister for Planning.
(1)–(2)
Cabinet approval for the radio systems replacement project, including funding,
was given in the 2015–16 budget process and was reviewed and endorsed
by cabinet in subsequent budget processes. The Public Transport Authority
undertook the procurement process to award the contract, undertaking the
appropriate due diligence and probity processes, whilst keeping the Minister
for Transport informed as required. This process included seeking and
implementing cybersecurity advice from experts, including the relevant
commonwealth security agencies, which confirmed that there was no security risk
for the radio systems replacement project to proceed.
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