The death of Huawei’s 5G bid and the ramifications for Australia
Channel: ANU TV
Date: 03/09/2018

On 23 August 2018 the Australian Government effectively banned Huawei from participating in the building of the country's next-generation 5G mobile network. In this conversation, Professor Roger Bradbury and Adam Ni examine the ramifications of the Government's latest decision for Australia.

This issue was explored further in a panel discussion on 28 August 2018. The live streamed video of that event is available on the Youtube channel of the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.  https://youtu.be/kwDFif9mVk

A joint media release by the Departments of Home Affairs and Communications on Thursday 23 August states that “the government considers that the involvement of vendors who are likely to be subject to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflict with Australian law, may risk failure by the carrier to adequately protect a 5G network from unauthorised access or interference.”

This decision highlights the increasing tension in balancing Australia's economic, diplomatic, and national security interests against the backdrop of rapid technological and geopolitical shifts. 

The banning of Huawei will have major ramifications for Australia's technological future. Indeed, Huawei is a test case for Australia in balancing the risks and rewards of importing technology from non-traditional sources, especially China.

Prof Roger Bradbury leads the Strategy & Statecraft in Cyberspace research program for the National Security College at The Australian National University (ANU). He is a Professor of Complex Systems Science, with a particular interest in cyberspace as a strategic domain. He has extensive experience working in the Australian Intelligence Community on the strategic analysis of international science and technology issues. 

Adam Ni is a Visiting Fellow at the Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, ANU. His areas of interest include China’s international relations, strategy and security issues. He has worked in various China-related positions in academia, government and the private sector.

ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs: http://bellschool.anu.adu.au