Spy chief Mike Burgess has revealed that up to four countries, including Iran, are actively engaged in foreign interference in Australia.
“I can think of at least three or four (countries) that are we’ve actually actively found involved in foreign interference in Australia and diaspora communities, and some of them would surprise us,” the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s director-general told ABC Insiders on Sunday.
Burgess emphasized, “When we find [foreign interference], we deal with it effectively.”
Foreign interference and espionage are major security concerns for the national intelligence and security agency, with various countries, including Iran, attempting to threaten and intimidate diaspora communities.
Iran’s involvement has been publicly acknowledged by the federal minister, Burgess stated.
Earlier this year, former cyber security Minister Clare O’Neil disclosed that ASIO had disrupted surveillance activities targeted at an Iranian-Australian individual.
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Identifying other nations involved in foreign interference is a decision for the new Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, according to Burgess.
Burgess’s comments on foreign interference come in the wake of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign accusing the Iranian government of hacking its internal communications, although Reuters has yet to confirm the identity and motivation of the alleged hacker.
Burgess also took the opportunity to caution politicians and the media to be mindful of their language following the decision to elevate the terrorism threat level.
The threat level was raised from “possible” to “probable” last week due to an increased risk of politically motivated violence.
Burgess explained that the escalation was driven by “a broad range of ideologies,” with more individuals rapidly radicalizing and believing “violence is the answer.”
Youth are particularly susceptible, the ASIO chief noted, with five out of eight incidents of terrorism investigated since April involving minors.
Addressing the issue requires participation from all sectors of society, with families, community leaders, governments, and the media all playing a role.
“The media needs to be cautious about their headlines, as they can incite,” he emphasized.
“Politicians need to be mindful of their vigorous political discourse,” he continued, stressing that this was a general message for all politicians and not directed at any specific individual or party.
