Who Is Holding The Keys?

China is, without question, one of Australia’s most significant trading partners. We export vast
amounts of natural resources and agricultural products, and in return, we import vehicles, solar
panels, wind turbines, various technological products, and household goods. But is this
relationship balanced, and are we becoming too dependent?

Recent reports out of the United States have raised serious concerns about the potential for
embedded technologies in imported infrastructure from China. Investigations have identified
backdoor capabilities in Chinese-made inverters and batteries used to connect solar and wind
systems to the American power grid. The implications are seriously concerning. Could these
systems be accessed or disabled remotely?

Here in Australia, the Albanese government is continuing its rapid push for more large-scale
solar and wind projects, many of which use Chinese-built components. Such reports coming
out of the USA should prompt urgent scrutiny.

Chinese-built EVs are also hitting Aussie roads in increasing numbers. Speculation is growing
around whether software in these vehicles contains embedded spyware or remote access
functions. Could data be tracked? Could vehicles be monitored, or even disabled remotely?

This isn’t aimed at alarmism. It’s about exercising caution. We must be fully aware of and
thoroughly investigate what’s entering our country, especially if our government is hell-bent on
tying the future of our energy grid to technologies made overseas. If a conflict arose, could a
foreign power flick the switch to cripple our electricity system and, by extension, our economy?

This isn’t about rejecting renewables or turning our backs on trade. It’s about balance. It’s about
resilience. It’s about protecting the infrastructure that underpins our economy and our way of
life.

Australia’s critical infrastructure, our energy systems, transport networks, and communications
must be secure, scrutinised, and ideally sovereign. Because if another country has the power to
disrupt our systems, then we’ve already handed over the keys. We need them back.

Outside of our grocery stores, mining sites, and engineering hubs, it’s becoming harder to spot
the green and gold Aussie-made logo. The bigger question is, how do we reduce our reliance on
other nations and build our sovereign capabilities?

For decades, we’ve watched smelters, refineries, and coal-fired power stations close, while our
car industry was allowed to disappear. But what if, instead of walking away, we invested in
modernising and building new assets? With advances in AI, robotics, automation and other
technologies, we are more equipped than ever to turn our resources into finished products here
at home, instead of exporting raw materials only to repurchase them at a premium.

Our trading relationship with China must remain respectful and firm. But we also need due
diligence, transparency, and surety.

It’s time to back our manufacturers, boost local production, and make sure that we’re not just
driving the economy, but holding the keys as well.

Contributed with thanks to Andrew Willcox MP

Andrew Willcox says it’s time to back Australian manufacturers and ensure we’re the
ones holding the keys to our nation’s future. Photo supplied

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