ASIO Chief Cautious on Naming China in Espionage Campaigns Despite Confirmation of MSS Role
-
ASIO chief refuses to publicly name China and its intelligence agency, the MSS, as directing espionage and foreign interference campaigns in Australia, despite court records confirming their central role.
-
Since winning power, Labor has continued Coalition's quiet hardening of security posture against China even as it softens public rhetoric.
-
Alleged MSS frontmen cultivated ties with senior Labor and Liberal figures before 2018 foreign interference laws exposed Beijing's covert influence ops.
-
ASIO disruption of foreign spying and interference up 265% as resources shift from terrorism; agency uncovering private eyes unwittingly working for foreign spies against dissidents in Australia.
-
Australia was slow to wake up to threat but since 2018 has made huge strides to counter foreign interference problem, says ASIO chief.