In a recent address, the Director-general of security for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Mike Burgess, unveiled details of a covert operation that targeted Australians, employing various digital channels such as professional networking platforms, email, and social media.
Burgess, during his annual speech, disclosed that his agency had declassified information regarding the operation, which remained clandestine until then. The operation was orchestrated by a foreign intelligence service, although Burgess refrained from explicitly naming the country involved. He revealed that the operation extended its reach to Australia's defense sector, enticing individuals with financial incentives to gather intelligence on initiatives like the AUKUS partnership with the US and Britain, specifically focusing on the development of nuclear submarines.
Highlighting the audacious nature of the operation, Burgess divulged that a former Australian politician had been ensnared by the foreign agency, years prior, emphasizing that the individual had not been charged due to their inactive status. He expressed dismay over the politician's betrayal of their country and party allegiance, accusing them of advancing the interests of the foreign regime at the expense of national security. Burgess shared a chilling detail, recounting how the politician even contemplated involving a family member of a prime minister in the espionage scheme, although this plan never materialized.
Burgess portrayed the foreign operatives as the "A Team," elucidating how they strategically infiltrated various sectors of Australian society. He recounted instances where academics and political figures attending international conferences were approached by covert agents masquerading as consultants. Burgess detailed how unwitting individuals were manipulated into divulging sensitive national security and political information, unwittingly aiding the foreign agenda.
However, ASIO, vigilant in its duty to safeguard national interests, thwarted these nefarious schemes by severing the ties between the Australians and the foreign intelligence service. Burgess stressed the importance of confronting such threats head-on, asserting that ASIO had directly engaged with the "A Team" to expose their covert activities and put an end to their clandestine operations.
Moreover, ASIO issued warnings to Australian public services, cautioning government employees about the looming threat of foreign interference. Burgess underscored the pervasive nature of these threats, highlighting attempts to recruit individuals from diverse backgrounds, ranging from students and academics to politicians and public servants.
The discourse also shed light on Australia's foreign interference task force, which has been proactive in conducting numerous operations since its inception in 2020. Burgess reiterated the significance of foreign interference laws introduced in 2018, emphasizing their pivotal role in safeguarding Australia's sovereignty.
Furthermore, Burgess alluded to cyber threats posed by nation-states, notably mentioning attempts by a particular government to infiltrate critical infrastructure networks in Australia and other nations. While refraining from explicitly naming the country, Burgess warned of the potential for future sabotage, underscoring the need for vigilance and proactive measures to mitigate cyber threats.
In response to previous accusations, China's foreign ministry has vehemently denied involvement in hacking activities, dismissing the allegations as baseless and irresponsible.
