Sydney
Australia's national war monument will remove many security cameras that were installed on the property that were produced in China because officials are worried they could be used for eavesdropping. Eleven Hikvision surveillance cameras that are partially owned by Chinese state investors will be taken down from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra by the middle of 2023. 189 more cameras at the location are provided by other manufacturers.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Australian War Memorial stated that it does not comment on security-related issues. An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by Hikvision. The British government banned security cameras made by companies subject to Chinese security rules from key buildings out of concern that they would be used for eavesdropping.
On Wednesday, opposition senator James Paterson announced that he is conducting a thorough audit of all government departments and agencies to check for any potential use of spy equipment made in China. During open hearings last year, Paterson brought up the question of Chinese-made monitoring technology for the first time.
In that they acknowledge they have these items and that they ought to be taken out, the War Memorial deserves praise, Paterson on Wednesday. They responded to my inquiry by stating that they would remove the devices from their location here in Canberra as a proper acknowledgment of the hazards to national security they represent.