Remarks at the Cyber Security Roundtable

PRIME MINISTER:

Dan Tehan and I and Paul Talon and Alastair MacGibbon are delighted to be joined by you all today. Thank you very much for coming.

You are the leaders of some of, most of our biggest telco’s and some of our biggest web-based platforms; Amazon, Facebook, we’ve got a huge representation here in the telco sector.

Now we are going to have a talk about the new frontier of threats to Australia’s security.

Cyberspace is the new frontier of espionage. It is the new frontier of warfare. It’s a new frontier of threats to Australian governments, to families and businesses.

It’s also a vector for the foreign states to interfere in democracies. We’ve seen that with the Russian interference in the American elections and of course, only on Monday the newly elected French President Macron said, “During the campaign Russia today and Sputnik were agents of influence, which on several occasions spread fake news about me personally and my campaign”.

So we have the prospect of the openness of the internet, the openness of the cyberspace, being exploited. Not just by people that hack into our databases, who want to use ransomware like WannaCry, which is obviously been the most recent global example, but who also want to use that means of access, use platforms. Facebook for example, to spread fake news, to be able to disseminate a distorted view of the world and interfere with our democracy.

So we need to work more closely together.

We have great agencies, as you know. We do work, we have always worked closely but we need to be more cohesive. What we’re looking for today is an open discussion as to how all of us – telco’s, the big over the top providers, the big web-based platforms; Amazon, Facebook, infrastructure providers like NBN – can work together to ensure that we can better protect Australians, their businesses, their families, keep them safe and online.

Of course, it’s opened up extraordinary opportunities, the internet. It is the most remarkable piece of infrastructure ever designed. If you look at something as ubiquitous as the smart phone is only ten years old, is extraordinary in itself. But it does pose new challenges. It gives those who seek to do us harm greater access, access that they hadn’t had before.

So, thank you for coming and I look forward to having a very frank discussion with Dan and of course supported by Paul from the Signals Directorate and my Cyber Security Adviser, Alastair MacGibbon.

[ENDS]

Tim Farron wins the BBC TV debate

Tim Farron came out on top of tonight’s debate showing that he is the voice for those people who want a brighter future than Theresa May’s cold, mean-spirited vision for Britain.

He will stand up for the people of Britain on Brexit, the NHS and schools.

Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Campaign Spokesperson, said: “Tim Farron is a leader with principles and passion.”

“Tim showed that he has the determination to stand up to the Conservatives over their dementia tax, their cuts to the NHS and schools and to their extreme version of Brexit that will cost jobs and put up prices.

“Unlike Jeremy Corbyn, Theresa May and Paul Nuttall, Tim trusts the people on Brexit and will give them the final say on the Brexit deal, not the politicians.

“Tim Farron showed that he is the voice for those people who want a brighter future than Theresa May’s cold, mean-spirited vision for Britain. He will stand up for people like you on Brexit, the NHS and schools.

“Theresa May was the big loser tonight. The fact that Theresa May wasn’t here tonight tells you exactly what she thinks about you. She is taking you for granted.

“Jeremy Corbyn voted for Brexit alongside UKIP and the Conservatives. He has written Theresa May a blank cheque to do as she pleases.”

Intelligence artificielle: «l’Europe doit opter pour une approche où l’homme reste aux commandes», affirme le CESE

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Why isn’t Theresa May challenging Trump on climate change? The future of the planet depends on it.

As the Lib Dem Climate Change Secretary, I think it’s an utter disgrace that Trump is preparing to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement. He clearly has utter contempt for science and the planet.

What’s also disgraceful is Theresa May’s failure to challenge him. Where are the Conservatives’ priorities? Where’s their foresight? Where’s their courage?

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Theresa May to urgently speak out and oppose Donald Trump’s planned withdrawal. Why?

Because the deal was the result of two decades of international negotiations – a huge positive step forward for the future of humanity. And now, because of political insanity and cowardice, it’s on the brink of unravelling. This could be a disaster for our environment and a betrayal of every generation to come.

It’s time for Theresa May to speak out. She must join the Liberal Democrats and the global scientific community, in condemning President Trump publicly.

This is too important for Britain to stay silent.

If you support our progressive policies on the environment, vote Lib Dem on 8th June.

I’m backing you

Thank you,

Ed Davey

China to use big data to help left-behind children

A big data platform was launched Wednesday to help a special group of Chinese children, known as left-behind children.

China has around 9 million rural children whose parents work away from home, leaving them behind with grandparents, relatives or caregivers.

The platform will include a database covering these children’s personal information, guardianship, psychological and physical conditions, and then match their needs with resources donated by social organizations, companies and individuals.

Service centers will be set up to offer various courses, training and aid, according to a statement issued at the launch ceremony.

Children taking part in the project will receive watches that record their location to prevent them from becoming lost.

The project was jointly launched by the China Children and Teenagers’ Fund and a technology firm related to the country’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.