Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Again, I thank Senator Paterson for his question. Australia is in the leadership of global efforts to ensure an open, free and secure cyberspace that protects national security and allows technology and connectivity to remain forces for good. At UN Leaders Week in New York I co-sponsored, with the United States and the Netherlands, the Joint Statement on Advancing Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace. It is an important statement, and, along with Australia's International Cyber Engagement Strategy, it highlights Australia's role in promoting an open, free and secure cyberspace. That work has been led by Australia's Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Dr Toby Feakin. Holding states appropriately accountable when they abuse the rules-based order is a vital constraint on the behaviour of those who would use cyberspace to destabilise democracies, to undermine institutions and to disrupt critical infrastructure.