"The approach we're taking is a very different approach,"Mr Tehan said when asked if Australia was looking at similarly severe action.
He said Australia's action would be more collaborative,delivering the conciliatory message as he announced a new foreign interference taskforce to tackle concerns about undue influence,cybersecurity and sensitive research collaborations.
Mr Tehan said guidelines to be developed by the taskforce would mean the"sector can benchmark themselves"in co-operation with security and intelligence agencies. The government hopes to have the guidelines in place by November.
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The priorities of the taskforce will include ensuring strong cybersecurity against"unauthorised access,manipulation,disruption or damage";protecting research and intellectual property from abuse;and ensuring foreign collaboration is transparent and does not harm Australia's national interests.
The taskforce work is in addition to a Department of Defence effort to strengthen rules around the use of sensitive and"dual-use"technology through the Defence Trade Controls Act.
A review of the legislation by Vivienne Thom,a former inspector-general of intelligence and security,found there was “inadequate control"powers and gaps permitting the transfer of technology that “if transferred to foreign entities with interests contrary to Australia’s,could prejudice Australia’s security,defence and international relations”.