Countries accused of espionage in Australia include China, India, Israel, Russia, the Soviet Union and the United States.
China
Main article: Chinese intelligence activity abroadIn May 2024, it was reported that more than 1,200 Chinese spies were operating in Australia.
India
On 30 April 2024, It was reported in the media that in 2020, Australia removed a "nest of spies" from the country.
Iran
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.
Russia
- 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.
United States
Main article: United States espionage in AustraliaThroughout 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. Several authors such as John Pilger have alleged CIA involvement in the 1975 Whitlam dismissal. 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 and Peter Khalil.
See also
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
- Foreign espionage in New Zealand
- Australia–East Timor spying scandal
- Australia–Indonesia spying scandal
References
- "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.