Australian government reportedly concealed Chinese hack on parliament and political parties out of economic concern

China’s Foreign Ministry denied involvement in any sort of hacking attacks and said the internet was full of theories that were hard to trace

Canberra has in recent years intensified efforts to address Beijing’s growing influence in Australia, policies that have led to trade with China suffering

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Canberra has in recent years intensified efforts to address Beijing’s growing influence in Australia, policies that have led to trade with China suffering. Photo: Handout

Published: 3:28pm, 16 Sep 2019Updated: 10:42pm, 16 Sep 2019

Australian intelligence determined China was responsible for a cyberattack on its national parliament and three largest political parties before the general election in May, according to five people with direct knowledge of the matter.

Australia’s cyber intelligence agency – the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) – concluded in March that China’s Ministry of State Security was responsible for the attack, the five people with direct knowledge of the findings of the investigation said.

The five sources declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The report, which also included input from the Department of Foreign Affairs, recommended keeping the findings secret in order to avoid disrupting trade relations with Beijing, two of the people said. The Australian government has not disclosed who it believes was behind the attack or any details of the report.

In response to questions, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s office declined to comment on the attack, the report’s findings or whether Australia had privately raised the hack with China.

The ASD also declined to comment. China’s Foreign Ministry denied involvement in any sort of hacking attacks and said the internet was full of theories that were hard to trace.

“When investigating and determining the nature of online incidents there must be full proof of the facts, otherwise it’s just creating rumours and smearing others, pinning labels on people indiscriminately. We would like to stress that China is also a victim of internet attacks,” the Ministry said in a statement.