Sigh, do we consider every script kiddie attack from a US ip address a direct attack by the US government? From China != China.
And sorry, "citing national security sources it didn’t identify" just doesn't cut it.
I wouldn't be so quick to judge given the lack of detail. It's entirely possible given the relatively recent adversarial diplomatic back and forth between China and Australia that this could be an APT style attack. Anecdotally I doubt federal government agencies would work with the ANU "over several months" to contain a threat if it was nothing more than a script kiddie.
Sure, I completely believe this. This is not propaganda against the Chinese at all. At all.
The Australian National University has deep relations with China ranging from its numerous Asian culture and language courses, to its huge international student population. The Australian government is far more diplomatic and tactful about Chinese relations than the US government. It's unlikely that either entities would be playing propaganda games with a specific and embarrassing story like this.