According to a story in the Herald Sun today the Chinese government-owned company, Huawei, is providing crucial equipment to a solar farm which will power 50,000 homes are deeply concerning.
This controversial company was banned from partaking in Australia’s 5G mobile infrastructure network in 2018 by the Federal Government, due to national security concerns, with the head of ASIO, Mike Burgess, referring to Huawei as a “high risk vendor”.
The Gillard Government also banned Huawei from involvement in the NBN in 2012.
At that time then-ASIO chief, David Irvine said banning Huawei from involvement in critical infrastructure was not political but “based solely on security matters”.
So, federally, both sides of politics have agreed Huawei poses threats to national security, with a bi-partisan agreement that Huawei shouldn’t be involved in critical infrastructure projects.
According to a media release by the state Opposition under Daniel Andrews and Labor in Victoria, equipment provided by Huawei is being used in critical electricity infrastructure which will power 50,000 homes.
“Why does the Andrews Labor Government allow Huawei to be involved in our electricity network when both sides of federal politics have agreed it poses a potential threat to national security?”, asks the Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables, Ryan Smith, member for Warrandyte in the state parliament.
Mr Smith poses several key questions that the Minister for Energy, Lily D’Ambrosio, must answer about this issue:
- Did the Minister know Huawei was involved with this project before today’s reports? If not, why not?
- How many other energy projects across Victoria is Huawei involved with?
- If the Minister doesn’t know how many projects Huawei is involved within Victoria, why not?
- If the Minister doesn’t know the number of projects involving Huawei, will she commit to finding out?
- Is Huawei involved with any other projects that receive direct State Government funding?
- Does the Andrews’ Labor Government’s Belt-and-Road Agreement with the Chinese Communist Government in any way further facilitate Huawei’s involvement in Victoria’s electricity network?
“Daniel Andrews and Lily D’Ambrosio must explain why their government indirectly supports a company described by our intelligence services as ‘high risk’ and a threat to national security”, Mr Smith added.
In response to today’s revelations Minister D’Ambrosio’s office said that Huawei’s involvement was “a matter for the private company” building the projects.
“That just simply isn’t good enough”, Mr Smith insists.
The state opposition believes that our electricity infrastructure may be at risk due to the involvement of companies that have been deemed a national security risk by both sides of politics since 2012.
Mr Smith called upon Minister D’Ambrosio to do her job and ensure that suppliers who pose national security risks are in no way supported in Victoria.
Similar Posts by The Author:
- Supriya Shrinate delivers Kangana Ranaut a huge advantage
- The Mahua Moitra saga – Is she a victim for Shashi Tharoor to save?
- Election 2022: Matthew Guy is closing in on Daniel Andrews
- Harry and Meghan claims: Queen responds but the Today team is divided
- Alleged Hindu phobia gets Rinku Sharma killed in India