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The Print
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
US senators introduce bill to protect undersea cables near Taiwan from China
According to Taipei Times, the act proposes a multi-agency initiative led by the U.S. Department of State, in coordination with the Departments of Defence, Homeland Security, and the US Coast Guard. The Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act, introduced by Republican Senator John Curtis and Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen, seeks to harden critical infrastructure against sabotage by the People's Republic of China (PRC). Washington, DC: In response to the rising Chinese grey zone threats, a bipartisan group of US senators introduced legislation yesterday aimed at protecting vital undersea communication cables surrounding Taiwan. The bill mandates the deployment of real-time monitoring systems, the development of rapid-response protocols, increased maritime surveillance, and greater international coordination to deter and respond to acts of undersea sabotage. Citing intelligence and recent incidents, the senators warned that Beijing's military doctrine includes targeting undersea cables to cripple communication in the event of conflict. Since February 2023, Taipei Times reported that at least 11 disruptions have occurred, most linked to vessels suspected of deliberate interference, an alarming trend that U.S. lawmakers say must not go unchallenged. 'We can't stand idle as China ramps up its tactics to isolate Taiwan, including by sabotaging its vital undersea cables,' Senator Curtis said in a press release quoted by Taipei Times. 'This bipartisan effort sends a clear message: the United States stands with our democratic partners against coercion.' Separately, Senators Curtis and Chris Van Hollen also reintroduced the Taiwan International Solidarity Act to push back against Beijing's diplomatic isolation campaign. The bill clarifies that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not bar US advocacy for Taiwan's participation in international organisations. 'China has long manipulated Resolution 2758 to silence Taiwan on the world stage,' Curtis said, adding that the United Nations 'must not become a platform for that distortion.' Taipei Times noted that the House passed a version of the bill in May, but Senate action remains pending. These latest moves mark a firm bipartisan stance against Beijing's hybrid warfare tactics and its broader campaign to undermine regional security.
7NEWS
12-06-2025
- Business
- 7NEWS
Government sidesteps mandatory employment rules designed to Close the Gap in two thirds contracts, audit finds
An audit of rules designed to Close the Gap for First Nations peoples has revealed poor compliance by government bodies. Indigenous employment requirements were sidestepped in two-thirds of the contracts issued by Commonwealth entities, including the Departments of Defence, Education, Workplace Relations, Infrastructure and Home Affairs, the audit report said. The mandatory minimum requirements (MMRs) are targets to ensure that at least three per cent of the workforce is made up of First Nations peoples. Government contracts over $7.5 million are also subject to these targets, which can alternatively be met through the engagement of Indigenous-owned businesses as suppliers. Tenderers are required to specify how they plan to achieve the MMRs. The targets were introduced to ensure First Nations peoples benefit from some of the larger projects outsourced by the Commonwealth, including those in remote areas. But since MMRs were made binding for contractors in 2016, 63 per cent of all recorded contracts have been exempted. The 1,475 exempted contracts are worth a total of nearly $70 billion. Of those exemptions, 34 per cent — valued at more than $30 billion — were filed with no explanation, with reporting officials simply ticking the 'other' category on the exemption form. The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), which is responsible for implementing the MMRs, said these requirements are just one component of the Indigenous Procurement Policy (IPP), established in 2015. The NIAA told the audit office that contracts were exempted under the 'other' category because entities 'are in practice non-compliant with the Indigenous Procurement Policy'. 'Entities' use of the 'other' exemption category for non-compliant contracts obscures the degree of noncompliance with the MMRs and is not appropriate,' the report said. 'The NIAA does not provide complete guidance on the use of exemptions or assurance over the legitimacy of exemptions. The NIAA has not considered the strategic implications of exemption usage for the achievement of policy objectives.' This comes almost five years after a 2020 Auditor-General report found that the administration of well-designed MMRs 'had been undermined by ineffective implementation and monitoring by the policy owner and insufficient compliance by the selected entities.' Of the recommendations handed down after the 2020 audit, the latest report found that entities had only 'partly implemented' them. 'Systems have been set up to allow potentially invalid exemptions. There is a lack of guidance and assurance over the appropriate use of exemptions.' The latest audit also found that the NIAA has not been able to demonstrate that MMRs are improving Indigenous economic participation. However, the NIAA said that prior to the introduction of the policy, Indigenous businesses secured limited contracts through Commonwealth procurement. The policy has since significantly increased purchasing from Indigenous businesses. All entities contacted by the audit office, including the NIAA, responded by welcoming the audit findings and committed to strengthening the procurement and reporting processes required to meet the compulsory targets. The NIAA has pledged to continue supporting entities that are struggling to comply with the targets, but added: 'As with all other elements of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, it is the responsibility of each Commonwealth entity to meet the obligations of the IPP.'
