Spy agency says three countries have posed direct threats

The head of Australia’s spy agency, Mike Burgess, has delivered his annual threat assessment.

Burgess revealed the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) had foiled multiple attempts by foreign actors targeting people in Australia.

He said three countries have been responsible for “plotting to physically harm people living in Australia.”

Here’s what we learned from Burgess’ speech.

Annual speech

Each year, ASIO delivers a ‘threat assessment’, laying out the major risks and challenges to Australia’s national security.

It also includes a general portrait of the risks posed by foreign and domestic actors to Australians.

Since ASIO is a predominantly covert agency, the yearly overview typically contains few specific details, but rather captures an overview of trends.

Foreign plots

Burgess described the future national security environment as the most challenging since the height of the Cold War.

He said three countries had been involved in efforts to “physically harm” people in Australia.

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Burgess said ASIO held “grave fears” for the targeted person’s life in some cases.

He detailed a foreign actor’s plot to lure a human rights activist overseas, baiting them to a place where an “accident” was set to harm them.

Antisemitism

Burgess commented on a recent spate of antisemitic attacks across Australia, which have included spraypainting slurs on buildings, firebombing a synagogue, and setting fire to a kindergarten.

Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding a caravan filled with explosives found in Sydney’s north-west, which allegedly was intended to target a synagogue.

Burgess said he believed “these attacks have not yet plateaued.”

Election

Australia must hold a federal election by 17 May.

Burgess said there was a threat of foreign interference in the upcoming election, particularly targeting migrant communities.

“If a foreign regime tries to meddle in the election by pressuring diaspora groups, directing foreign language newspapers, spreading disinformation on social media or using any of the other tactics sometimes seen overseas, we will know. And we will act,“ he said.