A cybersecurity expert says it is not easy for a government to accuse another country of hacking amid claims China was behind a hack on parliament.

Reuters reports China was responsible for a cyber-attack on parliament before the federal election in May.

The Australian Signals Directorate report apparently recommended keeping the findings secret to avoid disrupting trade relations with Beijing.

Alastair MacGibbon was the head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre at the time of the alleged incidence.

He tells Steve Price it is not easy for a government to accuse another country of hacking.

“It’s generally not done. When it is done it’s done very carefully and its got to bring value to the Australian people.

“We didn’t know what the motive was, often you don’t ever with cybersecurity incidents.”

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