QUESTIONS and accusations are popping up in the wake of revelations that Chinese telecommunications technology giant Huawei has been banned from tendering for the National Broadband Network (NBN).
According to the Australian Financial Review, the Chinese company was told that it could not tender for the NBN, on the basis of advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).
While calling for the government to publicly explain the reasons for the ban, Greens Senator Scott Ludlam summarised the cautious approach toward Huawei by pointing out that the company is led by a former People’s Liberation Army Engineer.
“The Chinese government has been accused of intercepting confidential information in cyberspace by the United States Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive,” Senator Ludlam continued.
“As Huawei has not been accused of breaking any Australian laws, the Government’s apparent intervention in NBN Co’s tendering processes raises questions that need answering.”
“If the Government has evidence that there is a dangerously close relationship between Huawei and Beijing’s political and military interests, it should make that information public.”
The stance taken by the Federal Government mirrors the caution displayed by the US in awarding technology contracts, especially for projects which relate to homeland security or the military.
Government sources, including the Prime Minister, have stood by the decision as a way to ensure the security and reliability of an important piece of national infrastructure.
Huawei has the support of former foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer, who is on the company’s Australian board. He pointed out that the company operates in 100 countries and has been in Australia since 2004.