Australia has dismantled a “hive” of spies operating in the country for years, according to its intelligence leader. Mike Burgess would not identify the nation or nations responsible for the network, but stated that the undercover agents appeared to be “well trained.”
He said that the group will study and “possibly entice” judges, journalists, and veterans.
He noted that this demonstrates that the threat posed by foreign espionage is at an all-time high.
In his annual danger assessment delivered in Canberra, the head of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (Asio) described a “concerted campaign” to infiltrate the Australian media in order to influence reporting and obtain information about sources.
He stated that a “lackey” intended to provide journalists with all-expenses-paid study trips to a foreign country, where spies with “home-field advantage” would strive to obtain leverage-worthy information.
A week after the government disclosed that an Iranian plot targeting an Australian dissident had been thwarted, Mr. Burgess highlighted two other countries’ failed attempts to physically attack Australian citizens.
Again, he did not name the countries but stated that the targets were foreign government critics.
“In one instance, the intelligence service began monitoring a human rights activist and intended to lure the target overseas, where he might be ‘disposed of,'” he explained.
“In another instance, a lackey was sent to track down individual dissidents and, quote, ‘deal with them.'”
Mr. Burgess stated that Asio had eliminated spies through an “intense and prolonged campaign.”
“They were good, but Asio was superior, so we eliminated them in collaboration with our partners. The beehive is extinct, “he remarked.
Mr. Burgess stated that the threat posed by foreign intelligence has increased since Australia joined the Aukus security agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom.
“Asio is… more active than ever before in our 74-year history. Busier than the Cold War, busier than 9/11, and busier than the caliphate’s zenith.”
From where I am seated, it appears to be hand-to-hand combat.
Mr. Burgess also criticized hundreds of “reckless” Australians who advertise their security clearances on social networking sites, as well as former Australian military personnel who participate in foreign military training programs.
“It is essential that our allies know we can safeguard our secrets and theirs,” Mr. Burgess explained.
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