Foreign espionage in Australia
Countries accused of espionage in Australia include China, India, Israel, Russia, the Soviet Union and the United States.
China
[edit]In May 2024, it was reported that more than 1,200 Chinese spies were operating in Australia.[1]
India
[edit]On 30 April 2024, It was reported in the media that in 2020, Australia removed a "nest of spies" from the country.[2][3][4]
Iran
[edit]In August 2024, ASIO director Mike Burgess claimed that Iran had been one of "three or four" foreign countries spying on and attempting to intimidate diaspora communities in Australia.[3]
Russia
[edit]- See also Petrov Affair, Combe-Ivanov affair
On 11 July 2024, two Russian-born Australians were arrested for allegedly conspiring the share ADF secrets with Russia.[4]
United States
[edit]Throughout the Cold War, the United States maintained a number of "informants" throughout Australian political life. Most notable was head of ACTU Bob Hawke, who later became PM.[5] Several authors such as John Pilger have alleged CIA involvement in the 1975 Whitlam dismissal.[6] In 2010, the United States diplomatic cables leak published by WikiLeaks exposed a number of politicians as informants for the US Embassy, such as Mark Arbib[7] and Peter Khalil.[8]
See also
[edit]- Australian Secret Intelligence Service
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
- Foreign espionage in New Zealand
- Australia–East Timor spying scandal
- Australia–Indonesia spying scandal
References
[edit]- ^ "Claim 'more than 1200 Chinese spies operating in Australia'". www.9news.com.au. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ "India's Modi government operated 'nest of spies' in Australia before being disrupted by ASIO". ABC News. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ a b Hurst, Daniel; Butler, Josh; Doherty, Ben (2024-05-01). "Australia expelled two Indian intelligence operatives in 2020 as part of 'nest of spies', reports claim". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ a b Knott, Matthew (2024-04-30). "Indian spies booted out of Australia for trying to steal sensitive information". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-09-18.
- ^ Coventry, C. J. (March 2021). "The "Eloquence" of Robert J. Hawke: United States informer, 1973–79". Australian Journal of Politics & History. 67 (1): 67–87. doi:10.1111/ajph.12763. ISSN 0004-9522.
- ^ Pilger, John (2014-10-23). "The British-American coup that ended Australian independence". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ Dorling, Philip (2010-12-08). "Arbib revealed as secret US source". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
- ^ Stefano, Mark Di (2016-06-04). "This Is What Happened When We Asked A Labor Candidate About Appearing In The WikiLeaks Cables". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2024-09-23.