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Espionage and foreign interference

International relationships have become more fluid. Spying continues to be a means by which governments try to gain an edge.

Australia has information and technology that other countries could use to their advantage. Agents of foreign governments are posted here to collect intelligence. Some are carrying ‘shopping lists’ specifying scientific and technical knowledge or hardware their governments want. For others, the main interest is sensitive official, military or political information. One of ASIO’s priorities is to monitor the interests and activities of these agents.

The threat to Australia from foreign intelligence services is not just to do with the loss of a physical or intellectual asset or advantage. It is detrimental to our society if processes of government are interfered with and Australians pressured or corrupted into helping the interests of another country against their own. Foreign agents may also spy on and sometimes intimidate people in Australia regarded as ‘dissidents’ by foreign governments.