Foreign Spies Plotted to Lure and Harm Australia-Based Activist, ASIO Chief Reveals
Spy Boss Highlights Rising Security Threats, Antisemitism, and Election Disinformation
Australia’s top intelligence official, Mike Burgess, has exposed alarming foreign plots targeting Australians, including a foiled assassination attempt against a human rights activist. In his annual threat assessment speech, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) chief warned of escalating security risks, including foreign espionage, antisemitic violence, and election interference.
Burgess revealed that at least three foreign nations had attempted to harm Australians both domestically and overseas. One such case involved foreign operatives who sought to lure an Australian-based activist to a third country, where they planned to seriously injure or kill the individual while making it appear accidental. ASIO successfully prevented the activist from falling into the trap and has since identified other Australians at similar risk.
"We cannot afford complacency or assume immunity from hostile actions by foreign states. Such threats are real and present on our soil and in our region," Burgess cautioned.
He also disclosed that another foreign nation had planned to target Australians on home soil in 2024 as part of a broader strategy to silence critics, including journalists and activists. ASIO collaborated with international allies to counteract the threat.
In 2023, then-Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil revealed an Iranian plot to target an Iranian-Australian critic of Tehran’s regime in Australia. Burgess noted that at least four nations have attempted to coerce individuals living in Australia to return home through intimidation, family threats, and asset seizures.
"Coerced repatriations not only endanger targeted individuals but also create a chilling effect on diaspora communities in Australia," he said.
Antisemitism and the Impact of the Israel-Gaza Conflict
Burgess warned that communal violence in Australia is expected to surge over the next five years, with antisemitism becoming increasingly pronounced due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
"Antisemitism was already present in Australia, but the Middle East conflict has given it fuel and provided some individuals with an excuse for their hateful actions," he noted.
He expressed concern over the normalization of violent protests and intimidation linked to the conflict, which has led to increased targeting of Jewish Australians.
"Slogans that originally called for ‘freeing Palestine’ have evolved into incitements to ‘kill the Jews.’ Threats have escalated from harassment to direct targeting of Jewish communities, places of worship, and prominent individuals," Burgess said, adding that these attacks have not yet reached their peak.
Election Interference and Disinformation Concerns
With a federal election approaching, ASIO is closely monitoring potential foreign interference.
"If a foreign regime attempts to manipulate the election through pressure on diaspora groups, control of foreign-language media, social media disinformation, or other tactics, we will detect and counteract it," Burgess stated.
He emphasized that political events worldwide could quickly resonate in Australia due to the rapid spread of information via social media. The online world has also played a significant role in radicalizing minors, a growing concern for ASIO.
Youth Radicalization and Rising Terror Threats
Burgess highlighted a disturbing rise in the number of minors involved in terrorist activities. Nearly all terrorist plots disrupted by ASIO in the past year involved minors, acting alone or in small groups.
"One 12-year-old planned to bomb a place of worship, while another investigation uncovered a 17-year-old consuming Nazi and Ku Klux Klan propaganda. We’ve even seen students sharing beheading videos in schools," Burgess said.
ASIO’s latest assessment showed that since 2013, the median age of minors first flagged for investigation has dropped to 15 years old, with 85% of cases involving Australian-born males. Burgess warned that AI-driven algorithms could make it easier for extremist content to find and radicalize vulnerable young minds.
Foreign Espionage and the Threat of High-Impact Sabotage
ASIO remains concerned about foreign intelligence efforts targeting Australia’s military and defense infrastructure, particularly due to the AUKUS pact with the UK and US.
Burgess revealed that multiple nations, including some considered allies, are "relentlessly seeking information about our military capabilities." In one case, gifts presented to Australian defense personnel by foreign counterparts contained hidden surveillance devices.
He predicted that by 2030, foreign actors would intensify efforts to undermine public support for AUKUS and could even engage in acts of sabotage, especially if regional tensions rise.
"Foreign regimes are increasingly focused on pre-positioning cyber vulnerabilities they can exploit in the future. We are nearing the threshold for high-impact sabotage," he warned.
Burgess pointed to adversarial states such as Russia and authoritarian regimes as potential sources of cyber and physical attacks on critical infrastructure.
"As a supporter and supplier to Ukraine, Australia could become a target for Russian sabotage efforts," he noted.
A Call for Vigilance and Collective Action
Despite the mounting threats, Burgess expressed confidence in Australia’s ability to respond, stressing that national security is a shared responsibility.
"We cannot afford to be defeatist or insecure. The threats we face are significant but not insurmountable. Foreign intelligence services are not invincible," he said.
He urged Australians to remain alert and proactive in countering threats to national security, emphasizing that maintaining a strong and resilient society is key to withstanding the challenges ahead.
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