‘Hive of spies’ trying to steal sensitive information removed from Australia, Asio chief says
Security organisation's latest threat report says foreign agents targeted government officials, bank workers, doctors, police and journalists
Australian security officials say they have removed from the country" a major spy network - including some members working undercover for years - that was trying to steal sensitive information.
Mike Burgess, the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, boasted of the removal of what he called a hive of spies" as he declared his agency was taking a more aggressive counterespionage posture".
Warned of a discernible and concerning uptick" in foreign spies targeting Australian reporters - online and in person - and said Asio had uncovered a plot to exploit and potentially recruit senior Australian journalists".
Said the online targeting of Australian defence industry insiders had increased since the Aukus announcement a year and a half ago.
Disclosed that Asio had been tracking attempts to exploit Australian military training and expertise for several years now".
Confirmed Asio believed the Wieambilla shootings in Queensland in December were an act of politically motivated violence, primarily motivated by a Christian violent extremist ideology", backing the Queensland police assessment.
Sign up for Guardian Australia's free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup
Continue reading...