Exclusive documents obtained by Sky News Australia's Sharri Markson have revealed that three requests from Ukraine to help fight off Russian cyberattacks have been knocked back by the Australian government.
Correspondence, exclusively obtained by Sky News Australia’s Sharri Markson, reveals senior government ministers received three separate letters asking for funding.
One of the letters, from Ukraine’s Security Service details the extreme importance of protecting state secrets as Russia’s illegal invasion continues. “While we are not in a position to provide direct funding for cyber security-related initiatives at this time, we see great value in progressing the bilateral Cyber Policy Dialogue between Ukrainian and Australian officials, initiating in 2022, to facilitate the sharing of expertise and experience.”
These latest requests come a year after the previous Coalition government indicated that it would help protect Ukraine from Russian cyberattacks. Markson said the rejection from the Labor government, shows Australia is walking away from its earlier commitment. "Many corporations have been subject to ransomware attacks. Keeping Ukraine online is an ongoing battle.”
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