[LINK] Australian Government Has No Secure Communications in Townsville?

[Tom Worthington]

The Prime Minister said in a press conference on 16 Oct that a National 
Cabinet meeting could not be held because of mechanical difficulty with 
the BBJ jet prevented return to Sydney. The PM said he couldn't take 
part from a secure facility in Townsville because:

	"The National Cabinet is not just me on the end of the phone."
	 https://www.pm.gov.au/media/press-conference-sydney-nsw-6

However, the PM would have been able to take part in a secure video 
conference from the aircraft on the ground, at the Defence headquarters 
in Townsville, or any location needed.

Townsville is the location of a major Defence base and hosts the Army's 
ready deployment force. These are the troops the government calls on to 
help with disasters and has a signals regiment to provide secure 
communications. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavarack_Barracks

Also the "BBJ jet" referred to is a RAAF aircraft. This is equipped with 
a meeting room and communications. A mechanical breakdown would not 
prevent these facilities being used on the ground. 
https://www.airforce.gov.au/technology/aircraft/air-mobility/737-boeing-business-jet

It would be surprising if the staff of senior government officials do 
not carry secure communications equipment for video-conferences with 
them in bags and pockets, as a matter of routine. If not the ADF could 
set up equipment at any location needed.


-- 
Tom Worthington FACS CP, TomW Communications Pty Ltd. t: 0419496150
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia  http://www.tomw.net.au
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards
Legislation

Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Research School of Computer Science,
Australian National University http://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/COMP7310/