In a recent address, Mike Burgess, the Director General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), revealed that the agency uncovered plots by three foreign governments intending to physically harm individuals in Australia. While he did not disclose the specific countries involved, he detailed one case where a government attempted to manipulate a human rights advocate into travelling abroad for an attack, an effort thwarted by ASIO’s intervention.
Burgess expressed concern for the safety of targeted individuals, indicating serious threats to their lives. He also mentioned that another government aimed to eliminate critics globally, but ASIO successfully disrupted this operation early on, although the plotters were located outside Australian jurisdiction.
In addition to these threats, Burgess highlighted ASIO’s collaboration with US authorities on domestic and cyber threats, including a chilling case of a 12-year-old boy planning mass shootings in the US, and the presence of foreign cyber units targeting critical infrastructure in both nations.
Furthermore, Burgess noted increasing espionage activities focusing on Australia’s AUKUS partnership with the US and UK, particularly related to advanced military technologies. He stated that this alliance remains a significant target for intelligence collection by foreign entities, including those perceived as allies.