ASIO

2024 - 2 - 29

ASIO Uncovers Shocking Spy Plot Involving Former Politician

ASIO - Australian Politics - Espionage - Foreign Interference - National Security

Exclusive: ASIO exposes a covert foreign spy operation targeting top Australian officials and families. Find out the shocking details here!

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has recently uncovered a disturbing plot involving a retired Australian politician who was recruited by a foreign spy ring to potentially harm the Australian government. The retired politician, whose identity remains undisclosed, was manipulated by an international network of spies, leading to a dangerous proposition involving a prime minister's family. ASIO Director-General, Mike Burgess, warned about the vulnerability of Australia's critical infrastructure networks, citing recent cyber incidents to emphasize the urgent need for enhanced security measures.

The revelation of a former politician colluding with foreign spies has sparked a national debate on accountability and transparency within government circles. While some, including former treasurer Joe Hockey, criticise ASIO's decision to withhold the politician's name, others like Peter Dutton argue that the lack of disclosure tarnishes the reputation of all ex-MPs. This espionage saga highlights the alarming reality of foreign interference in Australian politics and the potential risks posed by individuals compromised by external influences.

In a surprising turn of events, ASIO's disclosures have exposed a sophisticated foreign intelligence operation targeting not only public servants but also a prime minister's family. The urgency to address such threats has been underscored by the escalating tensions between national security concerns and maintaining political integrity. The ongoing calls to unmask the ex-MP involved in the espionage scandal reflect the growing pressure on security agencies to ensure transparency and hold individuals accountable for compromising Australia's sovereignty.

While the identity of the former politician remains a mystery, the repercussions of this revelation are reverberating across political circles. The delicate balance between national security and maintaining trust in public institutions is at the forefront of public discourse, urging authorities to take swift action to safeguard the country's interests. ASIO's unwavering commitment to uncovering and addressing threats continues to be a pivotal aspect of Australia's security landscape, as the nation grapples with evolving challenges in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

ASIO reveals plot by retired politician to introduce a prime minister's ... (ABC News)

An unnamed former Australian politician, who was successfully cultivated by an international spy ring, once suggested bringing a prime minister's family ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Australian politician 'sold out' to foreign regime after being recruited ... (The Guardian)

Mike Burgess outlines activities of spy network dubbed 'the A-team' in annual threat assessment, without naming former politician nor the country involved.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "iTnews"

ASIO boss warns of "crack cyber teams" scanning critical networks (iTnews)

ASIO director general Mike Burgess has drawn on last November's Optus outage to illustrate the fragility of Australia's critical infrastructure networks to ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "9News"

Former politician recruited by spies betrayed 'colleagues, party ... (9News)

ASIO director-general of security Mike Burgess said last night he declassified the efforts of a dedicated foreign team, including that case, in an effort to ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

Australia news LIVE: Shrinking inflation raises chance of rate cuts ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Price drops could offer hope of interest rate cuts, the ASIO boss reveals politician betrayed Australia and lack of betting ad crackdown disappoints ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "SBS"

Foreign spies targeted former politician and prime minister's family ... (SBS)

ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said foreign spies have been targeting public servants and managed to breach a former politician.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

Call to name pollie who 'sold out Australia' (NEWS.com.au)

The nation's top spy is being urged to reveal the identity of the former politician he says sold Australia out to foreign spies.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Joe Hockey says it is 'absurd' for Asio not to name former politician ... (The Guardian)

Former treasurer and ex-US ambassador says keeping the identity secret risks smearing all current and former politicians and spreads distrust among allies.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The RiotACT"

ASIO director shines 'a disinfecting light' on security threats ... (The RiotACT)

The head of the necessarily opaque Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has revealed that a former Australian politician was successfully…

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

'Your cover is blown': ASIO boss reveals politician betrayed Australia ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The nation's spy boss has exposed a sophisticated foreign interference operation that involved a former politician targeting a prime minister's family.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "2GB"

'Pissed off' – Joe Hockey blasts ASIO boss over TRAITOR claim (2GB)

The ASIO boss has revealed that a foreign intelligence service successfully recruited a former Australian politician. But Mr Burgess is refusing to reveal who ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Australian Financial Review"

Peter Dutton calls for ex-MP who assisted spies to be 'outed and ... (The Australian Financial Review)

Peter Dutton says ASIO is damaging the reputations of all ex-MPs by not naming the person; the head of the PwC tax leaks probe was told he had “no future ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

ASIO has revealed an Australian politician betrayed the nation ... (ABC News)

Australia's domestic spy agency has revealed a retired politician betrayed the nation, but stopped short of naming them. Here's what we know, and what might ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ACS"

Aggressive cyber spies targeting Australia now: ASIO (ACS)

Foreign agents recruiting Australians, hacking infrastructure. By David Braue on Feb 29 2024 02:00 PM. Print article ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "6PR"

'Traitor' politician's days are numbered, ASIO warns (6PR)

A foreign team of spies successfully recruited a former Australian politician into their ranks, ASIO boss Mike Burgess has revealed an a stunning expose of ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Strategist"

ASIO: We love it when the A-Team's plan doesn't come together ... (The Strategist)

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Director General Mike Burgess' Annual Threat Assessment highlighted the principal threats to ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

ASIO boss ignites political firestorm by refusing to name ex-MP who ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The nation's spy boss said he wanted to sound the alarm about espionage, but did not want the foreign spy unit to “to unpick how we discovered its ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

Explainer: what is sabotage and why is the ASIO chief worried about ... (The Conversation AU)

In its annual threat assessment, the spy agency has named sabotage by foreign actors as an increasing concern - and we too, should take it seriously.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Australian Financial Review"

ASIO boss Mike Burgess defies pressure to name ex-MP who ... (The Australian Financial Review)

Mike Burgess has defied a political firestorm pressuring him to name the former politician who he revealed was recruited by a foreign spy agency and ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Age"

ASIO spy ring warning raises hard question (The Age)

Readers weigh in on ASIO boss Mike Burgess' decision to reveal that a former - but unnamed - politician sold out Australia to foreign interests.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Australia news live: Asio chief defends not naming 'sell-out' politician ... (The Guardian)

Australia news live: Asio chief defends not naming 'sell-out' politician; silent vigil to honour Jesse Baird and Luke Davies ... Asio chief Mike Burgess says the ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Saturday Paper"

ASIO boss Mike Burgess refuses to name 'traitor' spy MP (The Saturday Paper)

Burgess sent shockwaves through Canberra when he revealed that a former politician had “sold out their country” after being recruited by a foreign intelligence ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Defence Connect"

Be Vigilant: ASIO issues security warning after foreign recruitment of ... (Defence Connect)

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director-general of security Mike Burgess has warned individuals with privileged information to be on-guard, ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "ABC News"

ASIO warns naming 'traitor' politician could expose sources, as Peter ... (ABC News)

The opposition leader says he won't agitate for the politician who betrayed Australia to be named, after a warning from the spy chief that doing so could ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Crikey"

If ASIO has evidence of Burgess' allegations, we should know who ... (Crikey)

ASIO and Burgess' motivation behind keeping the identity of the politician a secret is likely due to two factors: fairness and defamation.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Australian"

'Irresponsible': PM backs ASIO spy call (The Australian)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed ASIO chief Mike Burgess' refusal to name the former politician who he said had betrayed Australia.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Interpreter"

ASIO versus the A-team | Lowy Institute (The Interpreter)

Mike Burgess kicked off a guessing game with his speech this week – which might have obscured his true message.

Explore the last week