Key Points
- ASIO chief Mike Burgess revealed a former politician engaged in espionage for a foreign country.
- In an interview with SBS News, Burgess confirmed the politician was in parliament when they 'sold out' Australia.
- He said revealing the traitor's identity could compromise future ASIO investigations.
The mystery former politician who engaged in espionage for a foreign country was a serving member of an Australian parliament when they were recruited, SBS News can reveal.
The director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Mike Burgess originally outlined in his annual threat assessment on Wednesday.
He is refusing to reveal their identity, political party or whether they were a member of a federal, state or territory parliament.
But for the first time, in an interview with SBS News, Burgess has confirmed they were recruited to work for the international spy ring while representing voters and being paid by Australian taxpayers.
"This happened when they were a politician," Burgess said.
Burgess says the agency has blown the cover of the foreign intelligence unit – ASIO has codenamed it the A-Team – which was targeting Australians who had access to privileged information for several years.
The unit successfully recruited the politician.
ASIO has documented how the politician "sold out" their country, party and former colleagues to advance the interests of the foreign government.
The politician also proposed to connect the spies with a member of a prime minister’s family. That plot did not go ahead.
Revealing former politician's name could spoil 'secret sauce'
The de-identified case has infuriated former politicians including Joe Hockey — formerly the nation's treasurer and previously Australia's US ambassador — who demanded the spy agency unmask the traitor to avoid speculation and the international perception Australia's former MPs and senators were compromised.
"People should be absolutely outraged and demand to know who this person was," Hockey said.
"Mr Burgess, having gone this far, must name that person rather than potentially smear everyone who has served their country."
SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson interviewing the ASIO director-general Mike Burgess in the spy agency's secure building in Canberra. Source: SBS News
But the ASIO chief is standing by his decision to keep the identity secret.
"I don't think I've smeared anyone. The objective was to raise awareness of interference in the political system. It looks like I've achieved that," he told SBS News.
"I can understand a view that it's in the public interest, but I don't agree with that."
He maintains taking that step could compromise future ASIO investigations.
"If I shared the details of who it was, they might figure out how I worked out who it was, or how my organisation (did) and that's our secret sauce, and I need to protect that."
Burgess said the politician was actively engaged before the 2018 foreign interference laws were passed in the federal parliament, and the activity was not a criminal offence at the time.
He said he didn't believe they would be "stupid enough" to repeat the behaviour.
"The matter is resolved now," he said.
"It's important those threats are explained to the people we protect. It's important that, actually, people recognise (the threat) so they can resist and report such overtures from foreign intelligence services. That was my objective."
He further maintains the vast majority of politicians are "thoroughly resistant" to this type of foreign interference.
Several intelligence experts believe the details strongly suggest the foreign country conducting the interference operation was China.
"No other power has quite the same capability and intent to influence Australian politics in this way,” said the head of the National Security College at ANU Professor Rory Medcalf.
ASIO is refusing to confirm which country is responsible.
ASIO rules out Turnbull contact link
In the wake of the case being made public, the son of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed to news.com.au that around 2017 he was approached in an incident with some similar hallmarks.
Alex Turnbull said he was contacted by phone and offered equity in an infrastructure company, and immediately notified Australian authorities.
"I noted his comments, but if you listen to what I actually said, and then look at what Mr Turnbull said, I think you conclude they're not the same case," Burgess responded.
The A-team plot ASIO has documented was for initial contact to be made on social networking sites claiming to be from a fictional company, offering payment for reports on Australian politics, economics and security with extra fees for exclusive or insider information.
Burgess said those who agree to work for foreign governments were often motivated by money, political beliefs, feeling indebted or blackmail.
He refused to provide information about what drove this politician.
While some current members of the federal parliament have indicated they may know who the politician is, the risk of defamation action means the most likely prospect to air the name would be under parliamentary privilege.
"I don't think it'd be helpful to disclose anyone," Burgess said.
Mike Burgess said those who agree to work for foreign governments were often motivated by money, political beliefs, feeling indebted or blackmail. Source: SBS News
"If you wanted me to get into a name game and name and shame, it would reflect across the entire political spectrum," he said.
"If anyone's looking for a political point score by naming one individual, I'd encourage them to think carefully about what they're asking for."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed confidence in ASIO and said it would be "extraordinary" for his ministers to go against the Burgess' wishes and provide a name.
"I will be backing our national security agencies," Albanese said.
He was further pressed about his own knowledge of the case.
"I don't know the individual that was involved in yesterday's speculation," he said.
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