March 19, 2024
The Albanese government has reportedly removed ASIO and ASIS head Mike Burgess from its national security committee.
Sky News has reported that secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Glyn Davis removed the permanent position for the ASIO/ASIS head within the committee. Mr Burgess and future ASIO chiefs would have to be invited onto the committee from now on.
"We don't comment on matters relating to national security," a government spokesman told Sky News. The moves comes after Mr Burgess last month said a former politician had been compromised by a foreign spy network. The announcement stoked controversy, with former treasurer Joe Hockey saying it was "absurd" to detail the actions of the former politician without revealing their identity.
The Albanese government had stood by Mr Burgess since the speech.
"It is very concerning to hear that the Albanese government has removed intelligence and security agency heads from the critical committee of government considering national security matters," opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson told Sky News.
"No wonder this government has been so weak and incompetent on national security. They should reverse this reckless decision urgently." The announcement comes in the week of a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Mr Burgess previously labelled Chinese foreign interference as one of the Australia's greatest threats.
There was no indication from the government that the reported reshuffle of the national security Committee is linked to the comments of Mr Burgess.
