Cyber security minister Tony Burke has put critical infrastructure supply chains, subsea cables and operational technology at the centre of the next phase of Australia’s national cyber strategy, warning that government and essential services remain the country’s greatest area of cyber risk.

Optus faces the prospect of compensation orders in a long-running privacy case that began more than five years ago, after the Australian Privacy Commi tvssioner found the carrier had interfered with the privacy of customers whose details were published in the White Pages despite requests for unlisted numbers.

While the public debate over data centre construction in Australia is often framed around the risks involved, these risks are outweighed by the risks of not embracing data centres and AI, according to industry minister Tim Ayres. In a speech at a conference in Sydney yesterday, Ayres said the most dangerous response to the risk would be to retreat.

The Space Industry Association of Australia has warned proposed capital gains tax changes could undermine investment in space, AI, quantum and other high-growth technology sectors at a critical point in Australia’s innovation cycle.