Two subsea cables were severed off the coast of Western Australia over the weekend under suspicious circumstances, exposing a concerning vulnerability in Australia’s defence.

Strategic Analysis Australia director Michael Shoebridge told 6PR Breakfast hosts Millsy and Karl that these cables – roughly the thickness of a wrist – carry 99 per cent of Australia’s internet traffic.

He warned that there is little in place to protect these critical assets, leaving the nation at risk of being isolated from the world with no clear reconnection plan.

“We’re less well repaired than you’d hope”, he said.

Image: iStock