Australia's domestic intelligence agency ASIO has revealed it successfully stopped a foreign spy operation targeting sensitive AUKUS defense information shared between Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess disclosed the foiled plot during his annual threat assessment address in Canberra on Wednesday night, warning that foreign intelligence services are increasingly using professional networking sites like LinkedIn to target Australian security clearance holders.
According to Burgess, a foreign intelligence officer posed as a consultant and approached an Australian official with security clearance online. The spy initially paid the official to write two reports on Australia's relationship with its Pacific neighbours. 'Then, thinking he'd been hooked, offered money for inside information on AUKUS,' Burgess said.
What the Spy Wanted
Burgess revealed that the foreign intelligence service sought detailed insights on multiple aspects of the AUKUS partnership. 'The foreign intelligence service wanted insights on the progress of Pillar 1, the technologies of Pillar 2, the amount of money being invested, Australia's geo-strategic ambitions, relations between the three AUKUS governments and the likely trajectory of Australian public opinion,' he said. The spy specifically targeted classified information on the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program through a fabricated consulting arrangement.
AUKUS continues to be a major focus for spies, with Burgess confirming the massive submarine project with the US and UK remains a priority target for foreign intelligence services. Foreign spies are targeting classified information on Australia's AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership with the United States and Britain.
The ASIO Response
The security clearance holder became suspicious of the contact and reported it to ASIO. The official handed over the money received from the spy and cooperated fully with the investigation. ASIO officers then borrowed the official's phone and called the so-called consultant in her home country. 'Thinking it was her target, the spy picked up and got a very unwelcome surprise when she realised she was speaking to ASIO,' Burgess said.
Australia's spy boss said his officers had demanded the foreign spy 'cease targeting Australian citizens' and later followed up with the foreign intelligence service. Burgess did not name the country behind the espionage attempt. However, he warned that foreign intelligence services are increasingly using professional social networks to find potential sources, and as the AUKUS project is implemented, the number of such attempts is expected to grow.
Growing Intelligence Threats
Burgess's address painted a grim picture of a new era of complex and diverse security threats. Australian defence capabilities and AUKUS remain priority targets for foreign spies, 'even ones we consider friendly', he said. Foreign spies are using professional networking sites to recruit insiders, describing it as a 'low-cost, low-risk pathway' for foreign intelligence services.
The ASIO chief also warned that foreign espionage is costing Australia billions of dollars annually, with spy activities estimated to cost the country A$125 billion each year. 'Protecting defence and its capabilities from espionage and foreign interference is always ASIO's top priority,' Burgess said.
The foiled plot comes as Australia's security environment has deteriorated faster than expected. Burgess previously warned that over the next five years, foreign powers will increase efforts to undermine the US-UK-Australia defense agreement. The incident highlights the growing intelligence threats facing allied nations as they pursue major defense projects like AUKUS.
