Summary:
- Australia’s spy chief Mike Burgess claims some friendly nations are involved in foreign interference.
- Iran is known to have engaged in such activities, but other surprising countries are also implicated.
- Foreign interference, espionage, and politically motivated violence remain major security concerns for Australia.
Australia’s spy chief, Mike Burgess, has made startling claims about foreign interference in the country, suggesting that some nations, including allies, are covertly engaging in these activities. Speaking to ABC, Burgess revealed that while Iran has been publicly identified as a perpetrator, other nations also pose a threat, with their involvement potentially shocking to many.
Burgess emphasized that multiple countries are secretly trying to influence Australia’s political landscape and intimidate its diaspora communities. He pointed out that ASIO has detected and acted against such interference, though he refrained from naming the specific countries involved.
Foreign interference, espionage, and politically motivated violence continue to be significant concerns for Australia, according to Burgess. In 2022, ASIO thwarted a foreign interference plot linked to a wealthy individual with ties to a foreign government, known only as “the puppeteer.”
