Statement by the Secretary – 3 June 2011
Announcement of the Cyber White Paper
On 3 June 2011, the Australian Government announced that it would develop a Cyber White Paper, to be released in the first half of 2012.
Cyberspace is now all pervasive and demands a holistic approach to ensure Australia can capitalise on the opportunities and successfully mitigate risks associated with cyberspace. Early recognition of this prompted the Government in September 2010 to create the position of Cyber Policy Coordinator within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to provide greater coordination and strategic leadership of government cyber policy.
Given the mandate of the Office of the Cyber Policy Coordinator, it is appropriate that a cross-agency team, led by the Cyber Policy Coordinator, is responsible for developing this inaugural Cyber White Paper.
The cyber environment allows for Australians to experience increased economic prosperity and the ability to build important social relationships across geographic distances.
Significantly, the Cyber White Paper will for the first time bring together and describe the important relationships in the cyber environment between our social well-being, our economic prosperity and our broader national interests. It will consider how Australians are engaged in cyberspace and provide a long-term strategy to ensure our ongoing enjoyment and productive utilisation of the digital age.
As there will be a strong focus within the Cyber White Paper on Australian citizens and industry, a public consultation process will be launched in the second half of 2011 and will include the release of a discussion paper. Submissions will be welcomed in response to this paper.
For more information, please refer to the Cyber White Paper Fact Sheet. Further inquiries may be directed to cyberwhitepaper@pmc.gov.au.
Terry Moran
Secretary