Rex Patrick calls for government to launch cyber attacks on China

Australia must launch cyber retalitiations on China to punish Beijing for its own attacks, a key crossbencher says.

Independent senator Rex Patrick on Tuesday said China must pay “a diplomatic price” for its cyber aggressions, demanding the government adopt an “offensive strategy” towards Beijing.

Senator Patrick demanded the Chinese government be named as a major source of cyber attacks, calling for targeted sanctions against individuals or organisations.

“Without imposing some consequences, there is no reason to dial back what are unquestionably hostile actions against Australia’s national interests,” he said.

Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation chief Mike Burgess in March warned the cyber threat had reached a level “not seen since the height of the Cold War”.

China was widely believed to the culprit behind a series over cyber attacks on Australia, and Mr Patrick said the federal government should “should be prepared to retaliate in kind” by launching retaliations on Chinese state-owned groups.

“Without consequences they will continue to treat Australia as a hackers’ training ground and may eventually secure electronic footholds that may deeply harm our national interest, including defence capabilities.”

Beijing has denied reports from human rights organisations warning millions of Muslim minority Uyghurs face human rights abuses in Xinjiang, while crackdowns on pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong and Taiwan have also sparked international outcry.

Mr Patrick also suggested Australian cyber agents steal data highlighting China’s “systemic” human rights abuses.

“The threat of such action might give Beijing pause for thought before they embark on another round of hacking, or decide to ratchet up economic pressure on Australia’s export industries,” he said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying claimed accusations of genocide in Xinjiang were “not supported by even a hint of evidence” and were motivated by political animus.

“The door to Xinjiang is always open. We welcome people from other countries to visit Xinjiang and learn the truth about it. With abundant facts and truth, the lies of ‘genocide’ in Xinjiang concocted by anti-China forces will never find a foothold,” she said.

In March, Australian Secret Intelligence Service chief Mike Burgess said he knew the culprit behind a cyber attack on the Australian National University in 2018, but remained tight-lipped.

Canberra has attributed the attack to a “state actor” but has been reticent to publicly point the finger at Beijing.

“I do know who was behind it, but I will not say so publicly because I don’t believe it’s my role to do so,” Mr Burgess said.

He said “way more than one but less than 10” countries posed a cyber threat to Australia, but one in particular was “highly active”.

“Again, I don’t believe it’s my role (to identify that country publicly). My role, my organisation’s role is to identify that threat and help reduce the harm,” he said.