The head of Australia’s security intelligence organization, Burgess, told members of Parliament today that the level of foreign espionage activity in the country has surpassed the peak of the Cold War. He also warned that Australian citizens are being monitored and harassed by foreign powers.
A number of Australian politicians across the ideological spectrum have been implicated in investigations into suspected foreign influence, particularly from China.
The head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), who used to be tight-lipped, has become increasingly outspoken about the threat.
Mike Burgess, director of ASIO, says, “There are now more foreign intelligence agents and their agents targeting Australia than there were at the height of the Cold War.
Burgess warned that expatriates living in Australia are being monitored and harassed by foreign governments. Hong Kong students studying at Australian universities have also reported intimidation and threats against their families in Hong Kong following the outbreak of pro-democracy protests last year.
Burgess did not name China in his speech to members of Congress.
However, he said that the surveillance and intimidation of foreign groups in Australia by foreign intelligence units “amounts to an attack on Australia’s sovereignty”.
Burgess said, “It is unacceptable that people in Australia are being intimidated simply for advocating democratic reform and criticizing human rights abuses.
In recent years, a number of Australian politicians have been implicated in scandals involving political contributions from Beijing-linked financiers or accused of involvement in Chinese propaganda activities. Burgess warned that Australian politicians have become a prominent target in situations where foreign powers seek to “steal our secrets and manipulate our decisions.
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