CYBER WARNING FOR DEFENCE; MISSILE GOALS
Thistlethwaite raises stakes on cyber security
Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite has used a cyber industry conference to remind the defence sector of the growing threat of cyber attacks. The Minister said that in 2021, a cyber security incident was reported to the Australian Cyber Security Centre every eight minutes, and the Ukraine war had triggered an explosion in the level of malicious cyber activity worldwide. He said the Defence force had a global information computer technology footprint of more than 1,000 networks, including 10,000 servers, more than 100,000 end-points and 30,000 mobile devices.
Conroy talks up missile production potential
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has strongly backed Defence’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise to build Australia’s sovereign capability in missile production. Visiting the US, Mr Conroy told a defence forum that Australia had all the foundational elements needed for a missile industry. That included a munitions sector that produced high-quality explosives and propellant, and a capacity to build rocket motors for both military and non-military use. In addition, he said, Australia was home to manufacturers of advanced military sensors and companies producing missile components for existing collaboration programs. The Minister said Australian industry would identify where it could supplement, but not supplant, US industrial capacity.
Clare lauds university response on foreign interference
Education Minister Jason Clare has applauded the response of universities to counter foreign interference in Australia’s higher education sector. The Minister lauded the collaboration between universities and government through the University Foreign Interference Taskforce, claiming it would help to protect the quality of Australia’s research and the integrity of higher education. In a speech to a university forum, Mr Clare said the government would soon consult and work with universities to implement guidelines to counter foreign interference in the Australian university sector.
Renewable energy investment push in Japan, Korea
Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell has invited Japan and Korea to step up their investment in Australia’s renewable energy sector. On a trade mission to both countries last week, Senator Farrell said that Australia was looking for Japan and Korea to invest in the “energy of the future”, such as critical minerals, hydrogen and ammonia. The Minister said it was also important that Australia gave guarantees to Japan and Korea that it would continue to be a reliable supplier of conventional energy and a stable trading partner.
Census records ADF personnel at 84,000
Census data from 2021 has recorded 581,100 people who had ever served in the Australian Defence Force, or 2.8 per cent of the nation’s population aged 15 and over. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that in 2021, 60,300 people were serving in the regular service, and 24,600 in the reserves; almost 80 per cent of total current personnel were male. The average age of people in regular service was 34, and 41 for those serving in the reserves. Townsville had the highest number of current service personnel than in any other region.
Overseas travel numbers stall in August
International travel numbers in and out of Australia have stalled, potentially reflecting increased global cost pressures. The Australian Bureau of Statistics said that for August, arrivals (one million) and departures (942,000), were down slightly on the previous month. Short-term visitor numbers remain 55 per cent down on pre-Covid levels of August 2019, while the number of international students – 40,650 in August – was still 26 per cent lower than three years ago. New Zealand, India and Singapore were the leading source countries for visitors.