Joint Media Release
Attorney-General
The Hon. Robert McClelland MP
Minister for Defence
The Hon. Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Hon. Kevin Rudd MP
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Senator Hon. Stephen Conroy
Minister for Home Affairs & Justice
The Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP
The Gillard Government today invited members of the public and businesses to have their say on the development of Australia’s first ever Cyber White Paper.
The Government released a public discussion paper as part of the development of the Cyber White Paper, which invites submissions on a range of issues regarding the importance of cyberspace to Australia’s social well-being, economic prosperity and broader national interests.
The White Paper will look at how Governments, businesses and individuals can realise the full benefits of cyberspace while at the same time ensuring current and emerging risks can be managed.
The digital world is transforming the way governments and businesses operate and the way Australians connect to each other and the world.
The Cyber White Paper will cover a broad range of areas including consumer protection, cyber safety, cyber crime, cyber security and cyber defence.
With the rollout of the NBN gaining pace, Australians will become even more connected with the benefits of cyberspace.
Given the importance of the internet to Australia’s economic prosperity, we must ensure people continue to embrace the tremendous opportunities cyberspace offers.
Globally, cybercrime has already overtaken the drug trade as the most profitable form of all crimes.
Cyberspace is a shared domain and no single nation can address the security challenges alone.
The White Paper will allow us to provide an even stronger input into international efforts to fight cybercrime and ensure cyber security across borders.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is leading development of the Cyber White Paper, which is expected to be released in the first half of 2012.
The Public Discussion Paper is available at www.cyberwhitepaper.dpmc.gov.au. Submissions will be open until 15 November.
Media contact: Ryan Liddell – 02 6277 7300
