Arabic version: تعطل كابلين بحريين قبالة بيرث داخل منطقة حماية

According to ABC News, two separate subsea communication cables in the Submarine Cable Protection Zone off Perth experienced faults in close succession over the weekend, raising concerns about infrastructure vital to Australia’s international links.

Subco chief executive Bevan Slattery said in a LinkedIn post that the faults occurred “straight after each other and in close proximity to each other”. He described the situation as a concerning development and called for the Australian Federal Police to investigate urgently.

An AFP spokesperson said the agency had received a report of crime related to the matter and was assessing it on the information provided. The spokesperson said further comment would be made at an appropriate time.

David Brewster, a senior research fellow at the Australian National University’s National Security College, said Australia has 16 subsea cables carrying 99 per cent of its international communications. He said disruption to the links could have a massive impact on the country’s economy and daily life.

The Perth Cable Protection Zone extends 60 nautical miles off City Beach, to a depth of 2,000 metres, with a one-nautical-mile area on each side of the cables. Dr Brewster said cables can be damaged accidentally by ship anchors or cut deliberately, and argued that Australia needed more cables and a nominated agency to coordinate protection and responses.