Business deal with Huawei could jeopardize Oz national security: Ex-attorney general

Australia's former attorney-general, Mark Dreyfus has reportedly warned that a business deal with Chinese technology company Huawei in developing the national broadband network could jeopardize the nation's security.

This comes amidst the Prime Minister Tony Abbott's government pushing for a review of the ban on Huawei's involvement in the 30 billion dollars-plus NBN development project.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Huawei's case was helped by the Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, who called that the company as a very credible business.

However, Dreyfus has suggested that Huawei was being used as a bargaining chip to secure a trade deal with China, adding that Abbott should not sacrifice national security in the rush to sign a free trade agreement.

Turnbull said that neither NBN Co nor the government would buy Huawei's equipment if it was deemed risky.

The report said that Huawei was told by the Labor government in early 2012 that it could not work on or supply high-tech equipment to the NBN based on national security grounds.

Huawei has maintained that it has no links to the Chinese government and has argued that the ban could breach Australia's international trade obligations.

Huawei's Australian chairman, a retired rear-admiral, John Lord, reiterated that the company is privately owned, and they do not spy on anyone, and hoped that these messages are getting through with the Australian government.