FACTOID # 11: The USA has more personal computers than the next 7 countries combined.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

SEARCH ALL

FACTS & STATISTICS    Advanced view

Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 

 

(* = Graphable)

 

 


Encyclopedia > Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
ASIO Central Office, Canberra. ASIO is co-located with the Office of National Assessments
The foyer of ASIO Central Office, Canberra. Note on the right the high-security 'pods' made famous by the BBC television series about MI5, Spooks.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is the domestic security agency of Australia which is responsible for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage (especially sabotage of critical infrastructure), politically-motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, terrorism and acts of foreign interference. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Office of National Assessments (ONA) is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for the analysis of intelligence. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The British Broadcasting Corporation, usually known as the BBC (and also informally known as the Beeb or Auntie) is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world in terms of audience numbers, employing 26,000 staff in the United Kingdom alone and with a budget of more than GB£4 billion... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Spooks is a British television drama series, produced by the independent production company Kudos for BBC One. ... Security agency is an organization which conducts intelligence activities for the internal security of a nation, state or organization. ... Spy and Secret agent redirect here. ... German supply train blown up by the Armia Krajowa during World War II Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening an enemy, oppressor or employer through subversion, obstruction, disruption, and/or destruction. ... Critical infrastructure is a term used in the USAs National Strategy for Homeland Security, which was issued in July 2002; it is defined as those systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would... Terrorist redirects here. ...


ASIO is comparable to MI5, the domestic security agency of the United Kingdom. As with MI5 officers, ASIO officers have no police or arrest powers and are not armed, except in situations which may require a means of self-defence. ASIO operations requiring police powers are co-ordinated with the Australian Federal Police or with State and Territory police forces. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Chicago Police Department arrests a man An arrest is the action of the police, or person acting under the law, to take a person into custody so that they may be forthcoming to answer for the commission of a crime. ... The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the national police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. ... The states and territories of Australia make up the Commonwealth of Australia under a federal system of government. ...


ASIO's sister organisation is the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), which is the intelligence agency whose foreign counterparts are MI6 in the United Kingdom and the CIA in the United States. Although the responsibilities of ASIO and ASIS are complementary, they are separate agencies with distinct and different roles. The Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) is the Australian government intelligence agency responsible for collecting foreign intelligence, undertaking counter-intelligence activities and cooperation with other intelligence agencies overseas. ... An intelligence agency is a governmental organization devoted to gathering of information by means of espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public sources. ... The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), more commonly known as MI6 (originally Military Intelligence Section 6), or the Secret Service, is the United Kingdom external security agency. ... The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ...

Contents

Establishment

Prior to the establishment of ASIO in 1949, several forms of security and intelligence services existed in Australia, most of which were extensions and branches of the British military establishment. The first was the Central Counter-Espionage Bureau, a counter-intelligence agency with responsibility over the whole of the then-British Empire, which included Australia. 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... The armed forces of the United Kingdom are known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majestys Armed Forces, officially the Armed Forces of the Crown. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ...


On 16 March 1949, Prime Minister Ben Chifley issued a Directive for the Establishment and Maintenance of a Security Service, appointing South Australian Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Reed as the first Director-General of Security. The need for an Australian security service (to be modelled on the United Kingdom Security Service, MI5) became apparent with the United States Administration of the day expressing disaffection with the state of security in Australia, particularly in counter-intelligence. In August 1949, Justice Reed advised the Prime Minister that he had decided to call the previously unnamed service the 'Australian Security Intelligence Organization'. The spelling of 'organization' was amended in 1999 to bring it into line with the Australian standard form 'organisation'. March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (76th in leap years). ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... Joseph Benedict Chifley (22 September 1885 – 13 June 1951), Australian politician and 16th Prime Minister of Australia, was one of Australias most influential Prime Ministers. ... Main article: Australian Security Intelligence Organisation On 16 March 1949, Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley issued a Directive for the Establishment and Maintenance of a Security Service, appointing South Australian Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Reed as the first Director-General of Security. ... The Supreme Court building. ...


On 6 July 1950 the Charter of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization was defined by the directive of Prime Minister Robert Menzies following the appointment of Colonel Charles Spry as the new Director-General. The following year, ASIO headquarters were relocated from Sydney to Melbourne (the headquarters would be relocated again in 1986 to their current location in Canberra). July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Main article: Australian Security Intelligence Organisation On 6 July 1950 Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies issued a Directive entitled the Charter of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. ... Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, KT, AK, CH, FRS, QC (20 December 1894 – 14 May 1978), Australian politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, serving eighteen and a half years. ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ... Melbournes CBD has grown to straddle the Yarra River in three major precincts. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ...


The Director-General and the Organisation

Paul O'Sullivan, Director-General of Security

The head of ASIO is the Director-General of Security, who chairs the Corporate Executive, which includes the Deputy Director-General and First Assistant Directors-General. The Corporate Executive oversees the strategic management of ASIO. Image File history File links Asio_osullivan. ...


The current Director-General of Security is Paul O'Sullivan, appointed in 2005.


Previous Directors-General of Security

  • 1949-1950 Justice Geoffrey Reed
  • 1950-1970 Brigadier Sir Charles Spry CBE DSO
  • 1970-1975 Peter Barbour
  • 1975-1976 Frank Mahony CB OBE
  • 1976-1981 Justice Sir Edward Woodward OBE
  • 1981-1985 Harvey Barnett AO
  • 1985-1988 Alan Wrigley AO
  • 1988-1992 John Moten
  • 1992-1996 David Sadleir AO
  • 1996-2005 Dennis Richardson AO
  • 2005-Now Paul O'Sullivan

Officers of the Organisation

Officers are commissioned into a number of classes:

  • Senior Executive
    • Director-General of Security
    • Deputy Director-General
    • First Assistant Director-General
  • ASIO Officers
    • Grade 1-5 (AO1 to AO5)
    • Intelligence Officer (translates to AO5)
    • Security Escort (translates to AO1)
  • Specialist Intelligence Officers
    • Information Technology Officer
      • Specialist Information Technology Officer (SITO-C to SITO-A)
      • Information Technology Officer (ITO1 to ITO2)
    • Engineering Officer (SIO[E]1 to SIO[E]5)
  • Surveillance Officers
  • Intelligence Analyst

The identity of ASIO officers, apart from the Director-General, past and present remain an official secret.


ASIO also employs in the following areas:

  • Management and Administration
  • Professional and Trade
    • legal advisers
    • psychologists
    • librarians
    • editors
    • auditors
    • accountants
    • statisticians
    • printers
    • electricians

ASIO welcomes applications for employment from all people, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, marital status, disability or sexual orientation. Selection is on merit and your application must address the relevant selection criteria. However, there has been some criticism of ASIO's difficulty in attracting people from a Muslim or Middle Eastern background.


Future Expansion

In 2005, the Australian government announced its intention to substantially increase ASIO's operational budget, with the aim of increasing the agency's staffing level to nearly 2,000 personnel - double its 2005 level and nearly triple the number of staff in 2001. The 2007 budget also allocated some $80m towards expansion and refurbishment of the ASIO Central Office in Canberra. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Powers and Accountability

Special Investigative Powers

The special investigative powers available to ASIO officers under warrant signed by the Attorney-General include:

  • interception of telecommunications;
  • examination of postal and delivery articles;
  • use of clandestine surveillance and tracking devices;
  • remote access to computers, including alteration of data to conceal that access;
  • covert entry to and search of premises, including the removal or copying of any record or thing found therein; and
  • conduct of an ordinary or frisk search of a person if they are at or near a premises specified in the warrant.

When investigating terrorism, the Director-General may also seek a warrant from an independent judicial authority to allow:

  • the compulsory questioning of suspects;
  • the detention of suspects by the Australian Federal Police, and their subsequent interrogation by ASIO officers;
  • ordinary, frisk or strip search of suspects by AFP officers upon their detainment;
  • the seizure of passports; and
  • the prevention of suspects leaving Australia.

The Director-General also has the power to independently issue a non-terrorism warrant in situations where a warrant has been requested of the Attorney-General but not yet granted, and a serious security situation arises. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the national police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. ...


Acountability

Because of the nature of its work, ASIO does not make details of its activities public and law prevents the identities of ASIO officers from being disclosed. ASIO and the Commonwealth Government say that operational measures ensuring the legality of ASIO operations have been established.


ASIO briefs the Attorney-General on all major issues affecting security and he/she is also informed of operations when considering granting warrants enabling the special investigative powers of ASIO. Furthermore, the Attorney-General issues guidelines with respect to the conduct of ASIO investigations relating to politically motivated violence and its functions of obtaining intelligence relevant to security. In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General or Attorney-General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ...


ASIO reports to several governmental and parliamentary committees dealing with security, legislative and financial matters. This includes the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. A classified annual report is also provided to the government, an unclassified edited version of which is tabled in Federal Parliament. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is the body responsible for oversight on Australias three main intelligence agencies: the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and the Defence Signals Directorate. ... Parliament House, Canberra The Parliament of Australia is a bicameral parliament consisting of the Queen of Australia, the House of Representatives (the lower house) and the Senate (the upper house or house of review). Section 1 of the Constitution of Australia provides that: The legislative power of the Commonwealth shall...


The Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security was established in 1986 to provide additional oversight of Australia’s security and intelligence agencies. The Inspector-General has complete access to all ASIO records and has a range of inquisitorial powers. 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Current Security Environment

ASIO has determined that Australia faces a lower threat level to its national security than many other nations, which is attributed to its ‘political, social and economic systems’, as well as its ‘clearly defined borders’. However, Australia is still a target for espionage and foreign interference because it is in possession of information and technology that other nations desire and could turn to their own advantage. Furthermore, Australia is at risk of terrorism and politically-motivated violence due to foreign policy that is generally formulated in Washington D.C.. Spy and Secret agent redirect here. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... A countrys foreign policy is a set of political goals that seeks to outline how that particular country will interact with other countries of the world and, to a lesser extent, non-state actors. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United...


According to ASIO, most threats to the national security of Australia have their origins overseas, and include ‘efforts of foreign governments to use clandestine or deceptive means to further their goals in Australia’.


Espionage and Foreign Interference

ASIO is responsible for counter-espionage and actively monitors foreign agents in Australia, preventing and frustrating their efforts to gain scientific, technical, military and political information. Counter-intelligence ...


Furthermore ASIO is charged with preventing the interference of foreign governments in the processes of Australian government and internal affairs, and with protecting Australian citizens from being ‘pressured or corrupted into helping the interests of another country against their own’.


International Terrorism

ASIO admits that ‘terrorism will be part of the international security environment for some time to come’, and describes the overall threat to continental Australia as medium and unlikely to fall for some time. However, the threat to Australian interests overseas is described by ASIO as high, with particular mention given to Islamic extremism. This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...


Like its American and British counterparts, ASIO has come under public scrutiny and criticism since the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States. The passing of anti-terrorism legislation in 2003 and 2004, which gave ASIO as well as other police and intelligence agencies greater powers, has been criticised by civil libertarians. Among the controversial new powers granted to ASIO is the ability to question and detain suspects without charge, with severe penalties for those who reveal that questioning or detention has taken place. September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... During 2004, the Liberal Party - National Party government of Australia introduced three pieces of anti-terrorism legislation into the Australian Parliament. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


It is expected that ASIO will be instrumental in the security arrangements surrounding the ASEAN heads-of-government meeting in Sydney in September 2007. ASEAN[1], pronounced // (AH-SEE-AHN) in English, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a geo-political and economic organization of 10 countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on August 8, 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand[2] as a display of solidarity...


Relationships with Foreign Agencies and Services

Australia’s intelligence and security agencies maintain close working relationships with the foreign and domestic intelligence and security agencies of other nations – most notably Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. According to it’s 2004-2005 annual report, ASIO had established liaison relationships with 266 authorities in 112 countries.


In addition ASIO has the capacity to carry out foreign intelligence collection against targets in Australia. Known as Joint Intelligence Operations, and usually conducted in concert with the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) the purpose of these operations is the gathering of security intelligence on and from foreign officials, organisations or companies.


United Kingdom

ASIO was substantially modelled on the Security Service (MI5) of the United Kingdom, and an MI5 liaison team was permanently attached to the fledgling ASIO during the early 1950s. Historian Robert Manne describes this early relationship as “special, almost filial” and continues, “ASIO’s trust in the British counter-intelligence service appears to have been near-perfect.” Security Service can mean: The British internal security service, MI5 A secret service or secret police agency ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Robert Manne is a professor of politics at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia and one of Australias foremost public intellectuals. ...


While the mission statement of ASIO is to prevent foreign espionage, ASIO makes accommodations for friendly services working towards common goals such as MI6. Spy and Secret agent redirect here. ... The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), more commonly known as MI6 (originally Military Intelligence Section 6), or the Secret Service, is the United Kingdom external security agency. ...


United States

An extremely close relationship exists between ASIO and the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency. The reputation of ASIO in the eyes of the CIA was enhanced greatly when ASIO was able to provide highly valuable information on the structure of the Soviet intelligence services in the mid-1950s. Furthermore, the Director-General of Security at the time, the Brigadier Sir Charles Spry, came to be held in high personal regard by the Director of the CIA, Allen Dulles, after the pair met in the United States in mid-1955. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an intelligence agency of the United States government. ... ... Allen Welsh Dulles (April 23, 1893 – January 29, 1969) was an influential director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1953 to 1961 and a member of the Warren Commission. ... 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...


In fact, when Brigadier Spry retired, the Deputy Director of the CIA sent the following tribute:

“The relationship between the CIA and ASIO started as a very personal one. The real substantive relationship started with Sir Charles’ visit in 1955… Since Sir Charles’ first visit, the relationships with ASIO have continued to become closer and closer until today we have no secrets, regardless of classification or sensitivity, that are not made available to ASIO if it is pertinent to Australia’s internal security… I feel, as does the Director, a type of mutual trust in dealing with ASIO that is exceeded by no other service in the world today.”

Such a close relationship between the intelligence establishments of Australia and the United States continues, in line with the strong defence, political and cultural ties of the two allies (see Special relationship). Prime Minister Winston Churchill, (left) with President Franklin Roosevelt, at the 1945 Yalta Conference. ...


Operational History

ASIO is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act 1982, thus it is not possible to obtain information regarding the current operations of the organisation.


Operation VENONA, 1940s

Main article: VENONA project

Operation VENONA, or the VENONA project as it is sometimes called, was a joint code-breaking operation run by the United States and the United Kingdom from 1943 to 1949. The Venona project was a long-running and highly secret collaboration between intelligence agencies of the United States and United Kingdom that involved the cryptanalysis of messages sent by several intelligence agencies of the Soviet Union. ... Cryptanalysis (from the Greek kryptós, hidden, and analýein, to loosen or to untie) is the study of methods for obtaining the meaning of encrypted information without access to the secret information which is normally required to do so. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ...


In the late 1940s, VENONA uncovered sensitive British and Australian government data being transmitted through Soviet diplomatic channels. Officers from MI5 were sent to assist Australian investigations and the leak was eventually tracked to a spy ring operating from the Soviet Embassy in Canberra (see “The Case”). This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Soviet redirects here. ...


ASIO was established in 1949 when the findings of Operation VENONA made it clear that Australia required a domestic security service similar to MI5 in the United Kingdom. 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ...


“The Case”, 1950s

The operation to crack the Soviet spy ring in Canberra consumed much of the resources of ASIO during the 1950s. The operation became internally known as "The Case". MI5 assisted the then fledgling organisation with investigations concerning the spy ring.


Among the prime suspects of the investigations were Wally Clayton, a prominent member of the Australian Communist Party, and two diplomats with the Department of External Affairs, Jim Hill and Ian Milner. However, no charges resulted from the investigations, because Australia had no laws against peacetime espionage at the time. The Communist Party of Australia was founded in 1920 and dissolved in 1991. ... James Hill may refer to: James J. Hill (1838–1916), American/Canadian railroad magnate James Hill (soldier) (1901–2006), British paratroop commander James Hill (director) (1916–2001), American film director, fifth husband of Rita Hayworth Jimmy Hill (born 1928), British former footballer and pundit James Hill (folk musician), folk musician... Peacetime is the eighth studio album by Eddi Reader released in the UK on January 29, 2007. ... Spy and Secret agent redirect here. ...


"The Case" took a sensational turn in 1954 with the defection of the Third Secretary of the Soviet Embassy in Australia, in what has become known as “The Petrov Affair”.


The Petrov Affair, 1954

Main article: Petrov Affair

Vladimir Mikhailovich Petrov, Third Secretary of the Soviet Embassy in Australia and an agent of the Soviet Ministry of State Security (MVD, a forerunner to the KGB), had been subjected to several false accusations by the Soviet Ambassador that would have lead to his imprisonment upon his return to the Soviet Union. Fearing for his safety, Petrov contacted Australian authorities. Vladimir Petrov The Petrov Affair was a Cold War spy drama in Australia in April 1954, involving the defection of Vladimir Petrov, third secretary in the Soviet embassy in Canberra. ... Modern emblem of Russian MVD Russian Gendarme officers in the 1860s The Ministerstvo Vnutrennikh Del (MVD) (Министерство внутренних дел) was the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the imperial Russia, later USSR, and still bears the same name in the Russian Federation. ... Note: This article is about the KGB of the USSR. KGB is also the official title of the Belarusian intelligence services. ...


ASIO was instrumental in arranging Petrov’s defection to Australia, which occurred on 3 April 1954. Petrov was placed under protection, but his wife Evdokia was dramatically escorted to an awaiting aeroplane in Sydney by MVD agents. There was doubt as to whether she was leaving by choice or through coercion and so Australian authorities did not act to prevent her being bundled into the plane. However, when she later spoke to her husband via telephone it became clear that she was being forcibly repatriated to the Soviet Union and wished to defect alongside her husband. April 3 is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 272 days remaining. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ...


When the aeroplane stopped for refuelling in Darwin, Northern Territory Police dramatically and sensationally stormed it and liberated Evdokia from her Soviet escort. The Soviet Union temporarily withdrew its Australian diplomatic mission in protest. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Capital Darwin Government Const. ...


First Soviet Expulsion, 1961-63

The First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy, Ivan Skripov, was ejected from Australia and declared persona non grata in 1963. Skripov had engaged in elaborate espionage preparations, which were detected and prevented by ASIO. 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ...


Since 1961 Skripov had been refining an Australian woman as an agent for Soviet intelligence. However, the woman was actually an undercover operative of ASIO. Skripov asked the woman to courier a package to Adelaide, where he said it would be accepted by a contact. ASIO allowed the woman’s assignment to continue, hoping to uncover another arm of the Soviet intelligence apparatus in Australia. 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... For other uses, see Adelaide (disambiguation). ...


The package contained a transmitter enabling coded messages to be sent by radio at several hundred words per minute. A similar device had been found in the United Kingdom after a British couple were arrested for spying for the Soviet Union. The package also contained a coded list of Russian transmission timetables.


However, the appointed contact did not show for the delivery and the ASIO operative was unable to deliver the package. Rather than take any more risks, ASIO recommended the ejection of Skripov and the government declared him persona non grata – not to be allowed re-entry into Australia. Look up Persona non grata in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...


The KGB Mole, 1970s-1990s

During the Cold War period, a Soviet mole managed to penetrate ASIO. Due to the close defence and intelligence ties between Australia and the United States, ASIO became a backdoor to American intelligence. Upon realising ASIO was compromised, the United States pulled back on the information it shared with Australia. For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...


Following a strenuous internal audit and a joint Federal Police investigation, George Sadil was accused of being the mole. Sadil had been a Russian interpreter with ASIO for some 25 years and highly classified documents were discovered in his place of residence. Federal Police arrested Sadil in June 1993 and charged him under the Crimes Act 1914 with several espionage and official secrets related offences. However, parts of the case against him collapsed the following year. 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...


Sadil was committed to trial in March 1994, but the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to proceed with the more serious espionage-related charges after reviewing the evidence against him. Sadil's profile did not match that of the mole and investigators were unable to establish any kind of money trail between him and the KGB. 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... The Director of Public Prosecutions is the officer charged with the prosecution of criminal offences in several criminal jurisdictions around the world. ... Note: This article is about the KGB of the USSR. KGB is also the official title of the Belarusian intelligence services. ...


Sadil pleaded guilty in December 1994 to thirteen charges of "removing ASIO documents contrary to his duty", and was sentenced to three months jail. He was subsequently released on a twelve-month good behaviour bond. It is believed that another ASIO operative, now retired, is suspected of being the mole but no prosecution attempts have been made.


There were suggestions that the KGB had not actually compromised ASIO, and that the United States used this as justification on limiting the intelligence information it shared (a trend noticed, in fact, by most Western governments and not just Australia). However, in November 2004, former KGB Major-General Oleg Kalugin confirmed to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Four Corners programme that the KGB had in fact infiltrated ASIO in late the 1970s and early 1980s. 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Oleg Danilovich Kalugin is a former KGB spy. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... Four Corners is Australias longest-running and most respected investigative journalism/current affairs television program. ...


Second Soviet Expulsion, 1983

In April 1983 the First Secretary of the Soviet Embassy, Valeriy Ivanov, was declared persona non grata and ejected from Australia on the grounds that he had performed duties in violation of his diplomatic status (that is, espionage related activities). ASIO had determined he was an officer of the Soviet Committee for State Security (KGB).


The Gulf War, 1990-91

ASIO has stated that it “devoted considerable resources in late 1990 to security investigations during the build up to the Gulf War”, and that in 1991 from “mid-January until March ASIO was involved in intensive investigations related to the war.” The specific details of the investigations remain classified, though it is logical to assume that it was concerned with possible internal threats caused by the lead up to and the outbreak of war, such as the sabotage of critical joint Australian-American defence installations by foreign operatives. Combatants UN Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 378 dead, 1,000 wounded see section below The Gulf War or the Persian Gulf War (2 August 1990–28 February 1991)[1] was a conflict between Iraq and a coalition force of...


Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

ASIO began planning for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, held in Sydney in the year 2000, as early as 1995. A specific Olympics Coordination Branch was created in 1997, and began recruiting staff with “specialised skills" the following year. In 1998, ASIO “strengthened information collection and analytical systems, monitored changes in the security environment more broadly, improved its communications technology and provided other agencies with strategic security intelligence assessments to assist their Olympics security planning.” The 2000 Summer Olympics or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were the Summer Olympic Games held in 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. ... See also: 2000 Summer Olympics External links Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games - archived websites in PANDORA Categories: Summer Paralympic Games | Australian sport | 2000 in sports ... The Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour Sydney (pronounced ) is the most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of over 4,200,000 people, and 151,920, in the city limits. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean [1]. // Coated in ice, power and telephone lines sag and often break, resulting in power outages. ...


The Olympics Coordination Branch also began planning for the Federal Olympic Security Intelligence Centre (FOSIC) in 1998. FOSIC was to “provide security intelligence advice and threat assessments to State and Commonwealth authorities during the Sydney 2000 Games.”


On its website, ASIO concludes its Sydney 2000 Olympics overview with the following:

The success of the Commonwealth's security support to the New South Wales Police was demonstrated by the absence of incidents and the completion of the safest Games in modern history. By the end of the Paralympic Games ASIO had provided more than 151,000 Olympic-specific security assessments for people accredited to the Games, provided 24,784 security clearances for the entry to Australia of some Olympic family members and other visitors, and issued 532 Threat Assessments specifically related to Olympic security. ASIO also made overt contact with 98 communities as part of a Community Interview Program designed to establish a channel of communication for any concerns relating to Olympic security, and to explain ASIO's role in that context. 57 people of specific security interest were also interviewed to assist in the prevention of politically motivated violence during the Games.

Anti-Terrorism Surveillance and Raids

On 8 November 2005, following an extensive surveillance operation by ASIO, the Australian Federal Police arrested 17 people believed to have been plotting a major terrorist act against Australian targets. ASIO operatives participated in the raids, seizing documents and computers belonging to the accused. November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the national police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. ...


Legislative Changes

ASIO was converted to a statutory body on 13 December 1956 through the Australian Intelligence Organisation Act 1956. No change was made to the functions of the organisation. December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The Telephonic Communications (Interception) Act 1960 enabled ASIO to seek warrants from the Attorney-General to intercept telephone communications. However, this was merely formalising a function that had been practiced since the establishment of ASIO. In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General or Attorney-General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ...


Due to deficiencies identified by the Royal Commission on Espionage relating to peacetime espionage, the Crimes Act 1914 was amended in 1960 to change the provisions relating to espionage and breaches of official secrecy and to include sections covering treason, treachery and sabotage. 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1960 calendar). ...


The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 came into effect in 1980, which designated ASIO as the national agency responsible for assessing terrorist and politically motivated violence threats. The ASIO Staff Association was also formed in 1980, and was charged with representing all staff members in relation to the terms and conditions of their employment. 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ...


The Archives Act 1983 became operational in 1984 and ASIO began transferring records to the National Archives of Australia. While some records held by the archives were declassified at the time (or have been since) many remain withheld from the public. ASIO is not subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1983. 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Archives of Australia is a body established by the Government of Australia for the purpose of preserving government and public records. ...


In 1999, the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 and the Taxation Administration Act 1953 were amended by Parliament, enabling ASIO to access information held by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and the Australian Taxation Office. Access to this information is highly regulated by legislation and allowed only under strict circumstances for security purposes only. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...


Further amendments to the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1960 became operable on 22 June 2000, expanding the telecommunications interception powers of ASIO to include modern technological communications advances. June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 192 days remaining. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The powers available to ASIO were expanded with the Australian Security Organisation Legislation Amendment (Terrorism) Act 2002. The legislation, designed to enhance the capacity of ASIO to combat terrorism, defines terrorist acts as a threat to Australian security and authorises ASIO to question persons related to terrorism investigations, as well as providing the power to seize the belongings of suspected persons.


Royal Commissions, Inquiries and Reviews

Royal Commission on Espionage, 1954-55

On 13 April 1954 Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced that a Royal Commission would be established to inquire into the espionage activities of foreign governments in Australia. The Royal Commission on Espionage was established on 3 May 1954 and concluded in August 1955 that "... it plainly appears that for many years the Government of the U.S.S.R. had been using its Embassy at Canberra as a cloak under which to control and operate espionage organizations in Australia." April 13 is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, KT, AK, CH, FRS, QC (20 December 1894 – 14 May 1978), Australian politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, serving eighteen and a half years. ... May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Soviet redirects here. ...


Furthermore, from the 5000 page document released by the Commission, it was found that:

  • the files that Petrov had removed from the Soviet Embassy were authentic and the Petrovs were truthful witnesses;
  • from its establishment in 1943 to its departure in 1954, the Soviet Embassy in Canberra had been used for espionage; and
  • the only Australians who willingly assisted Soviet intelligence were Communists.

Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security, 1974-77

On 21 August 1974 Prime Minister Gough Whitlam announced the establishment of the Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security to inquire into Australia’s intelligence agencies. Justice Robert Hope of the Supreme Court of New South Wales was appointed as Royal Commissioner. August 21 is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Edward Gough Whitlam AC QC (born 11 July 1916), known as Gough Whitlam (, pronounced Goff), Australian politician and 21st Prime Minister of Australia. ... The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court for the Australian State of New South Wales. ...


In 1977 the Commission confirmed the need for Australia’s own security and intelligence agency and made many recommendations on improving the analytical capability and financial accountability of ASIO. It also advocated increased ministerial control, designated the conducting of security assessments for access to classified information to ASIO, and urged greater cooperation with police and foreign intelligence services. Also as a result of the Commission the jurisdiction of ASIO investigation was expanded to include sabotage and terrorism, and ASIO was given lawful authority to open mail, enter premises, use listening devices and intercept telegrams and telex under warrant. For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ...


Protective Security Review, 1978-79

Following the Sydney Hilton bombing of 1978, the government commissioned Justice Hope with conducting a review into national protective security arrangements and into co-operation between Federal and State authorities in regards to security. In the report concluded in 1979, Justice Hope designated ASIO as the agency responsible for national threat assessments in terrorism and politically motivated violence. He also recommended that relations between ASIO and State and Territory police forces be regulated by arrangements between governments. The Sydney Hilton bombing occurred on 13 February 1978, when a bomb exploded outside the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, Australia. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ...


Royal Commission on Australian Security and Intelligence Agencies, 1983-84

Following the publicity surrounding the expulsion of Valeriy Ivanov, First Secretary at the Soviet Embassy in Canberra, the Government established a Royal Commission to review the activities of Australian Security and Intelligence Agencies. Justice Hope was again Royal Commissioner.


Justice Hope completed his report in December 1984. His recommendations included that:

  • the security related activities which ASIO should investigate be redefined. References to subversion and terrorism be removed and replaced with politically motivated violence, attacks on Australia’s defence system and promoting communal violence;
  • ASIO be given additional functions of collecting foreign intelligence and providing protective security advice; and that
  • a separate office of Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security be established.

Justice Hope also recommended that amendments to the ASIO Act provide that “it is not the purpose of the Act that the right of lawful advocacy, protest or dissent should be affected or that exercising those rights should, by themselves, constitute activity prejudicial to security”. There are several positions titled Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. ...


Post-Cold War Review, 1992

In early 1992 Prime Minister Paul Keating commissioned a review “of the overall impact of changes in international circumstances on the roles and priorities of the Australian intelligence agencies”. In the Prime Minister’s statement of 21 July 1992, he says: 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... Paul John Keating (born January 18, 1944), was an Australian politician and the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, serving as Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996. ... July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 163 days remaining. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...

"Consistent with the philosophy of a separation of the assessment, policy and foreign intelligence collection functions, the Government considers that the existing roles of the individual agencies remain valid in the 1990s. The rationale outlined by Mr Justice Hope for ASIO as a freestanding, non-executive, advisory intelligence security agency remains relevant in the 1990s and the Government has therefore decided that ASIO should continue to have the roles and responsibilities laid down in existing legislation."

The Soviet threat certainly formed an important component of ASIO’s activities, but threats from other sources of foreign interference and politically motivated violence have been important to ASIO for some time, and will remain so. However, the implications for ASIO of the changes in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are more far-reaching than for the other agencies. The Government has therefore decided that while ASIO’s capacity to meet its responsibilities must be maintained, there is scope for resource reductions."


The resource reductions mentioned were a cut of 60 staff and a $3.81 million budget decrease.


Inquiry into National Security, 1993

Following the trial of George Sadil over the ASIO mole scandal and from concern about the implications of material having been removed from ASIO without authority, the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Mr. Michael Cook AO (former head of the Office of National Assessments) to inquire into various aspects of national security. The review was completed in 1994. The Office of National Assessments (ONA) is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for the analysis of intelligence data concerning foreign powers. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ...


Parliamentary Joint Committee Inquiries

The Parliamentary Joint Committee completed several reviews and inquiries into ASIO during the 1990s. The first concerned the security assessment process. Another was held in September into “The nature, scope and appropriateness of the way in which ASIO reports to the Australian public on its activities.” The Committee concluded that “the total package of information available to the Australian community about ASIO's operations exceeds that available to citizens in other countries about their domestic intelligence agencies.” Pursuant to this, recommendations were made regarding the ASIO website and other publicly accessible information.


Criticisms, Controversies and Conspiracies

Opposition to the Left of Politics

ASIO has been accused of executing an agenda against the Left of politics since its inception. In particular, during the investigation of "The Case" in the 1950’s, circumstantial links were noted between the leader of the Australian Labor Party and the Communist Party of Australia (and hence to the Soviet spy ring). H.V. Evatt, the leader of the Labor Party at the time, accused Prime Minister Robert Menzies of arranging the Petrov defection to discredit him. The accusations lead to a disastrous split in the Labor party. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, KT, AK, CH, FRS, QC (20 December 1894 – 14 May 1978), Australian politician, was the twelfth and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, serving eighteen and a half years. ...


In the 1960s, ASIO was also accused of neglecting its proper duties because of this supposed preoccupation with targeting the Left. Like other Western domestic security agencies, ASIO actively monitored protesters against the Vietnam War, Labor politicians and various writers, artists and actors who tended towards the Left. Critics of ASIO go further, alleging that the organisation compiled a list of some 10,000 suspected Communist sympathisers who would be interned should the Cold War escalate.


Raids on ASIO HQ, 1973

Further accusations against ASIO were raised by the Attorney-General following a series of bombings from 1963-1970 on the Yugoslav consulate in Australia by Croatian far-right militia. Attorney-General Lionel Murphy alleged that ASIO had withheld information on the group which could have led to preventative measure taken against further bomb attacks (it must be noted, however, that Murphy was a member of the recently sworn-in Labor government, which still held a deep-seated suspicion of ASIO). In most common law jurisdictions, the Attorney General or Attorney-General is the main legal adviser to the government, and in some jurisdictions may in addition have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions. ... 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ...


On 15 March 1973, Murphy and the Commonwealth Police raided the ASIO offices in Melbourne. The raid was disastrous, serving little purpose other than to shake-up both ASIO and the Whitlam government. March 15 is the 74th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (75th in leap years). ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... The Commonwealth Police was the national police / federal police agency for the Commonwealth of Australia. ...


The Church of Scientology, 1982

The Church of Scientology brought court action against the Director-General, the Attorney-General and the Commonwealth in 1982. It sought declarations that it was no threat to the security of Australia, and claimed the Director-General was acting beyond his powers under the ASIO Act in collecting information regarding the Church, communicating that information to other persons and characterising the Church as a security risk. The case was dismissed. The Church of Scientology is an international network devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Anti-Terror Bungle, 2001

A few weeks after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, mistakes led ASIO to incorrectly raid the home of Bilal Daye and his wife. It has been revealed that the search warrant was for a different address. The couple subsequently sought damages and the embarrassing incident was settled out of court in late 2005, with all material relating to the case being declared strictly confidential. September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


The Sydney Hilton Hotel 'Conspiracy'

Due to their secretive nature, security and intelligence agencies such as ASIO are often the subject of conspiracy theories regarding their supposed actions. Accusations have been made that such agencies organise or allow terrorist acts to take place to justify their existence, or to increase their budget and powers.


One such occasion was the bombing of the Sydney Hilton Hotel on 13 February 1978, one of the few domestic terrorist incidents on Australian soil. The Hotel was the location for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Three people in the street were killed – two council workers and a policeman – and several others injured. Former police officer Terry Griffiths, who was injured in the explosion, accused ASIO of either orchestrating the bombing or being aware of the possibility and allowing it to proceed. In 1985, the Director-General of Security issued a specific denial of the allegation. Despite this official reassurance, Griffiths has repeatedly called for an inquiry into the bombing, particularly after the three men accused and charged of the bombing were cleared and freed. February 13 is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... The leaders of the nations with membership in the Commonwealth of Nations (or British Commonwealth) are collectively known as the Commonwealth Heads of Government. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...


See also

  • Overseas counterparts
    • MI5 UK Security Service
    • FBI USA Federal Bureau of Investigation
    • CIA USA Central Intelligence Agency
    • CSIS Canadian Security and Intelligence Service

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is the national police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. ... The Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) is the Australian government intelligence agency responsible for collecting foreign intelligence, undertaking counter-intelligence activities and cooperation with other intelligence agencies overseas. ... The Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) is Australias signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection agency. ... The Office of National Assessments (ONA) is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for the analysis of intelligence data concerning foreign powers. ... The Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) is one of Australias intelligence agencies, providing assessment of intelligence obtained by other Australian and cooperating foreign intelligence agencies, supporting Defence and Government decision_making and the planning and conduct of Australian Defence Force operations. ... The Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO) is a Australian government agency responsible for the tasking (collection), exploitation (analysis), and dissemination (distribution) of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). ... The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is the body responsible for oversight on Australias three main intelligence agencies: the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and the Defence Signals Directorate. ... There are several positions titled Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. ... The Intelligence Services Act 2001 (ISA) is an act of the Parliament of Australia, which was passed on 29 September 2001 and came into effect on 29 October 2001. ... The Intelligence Services Amendment Act 2004 was passed by the Parliament of Australia on 1 April 2004 as an amendment to the original Intelligence Services Act 2001 (ISA), granting controversial new powers to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is a federal criminal investigative, intelligence agency, and the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). ... The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ... The letters CSIS can stand for several things. ...

References

The National Archives of Australia is a body established by the Government of Australia for the purpose of preserving government and public records. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in leap years). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (87th in leap years). ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Age is a broadsheet daily newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. ... March 11 is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (71st in leap years). ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Four Corners is Australias longest-running and most respected investigative journalism/current affairs television program. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... PM is an early evening (PM at five PM) news analysis, politics and current affairs programme on BBC Radio 4. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... ABC Radio National is an Australia-wide radio network with many various programs, involving news and current affairs, arts, music, society, science, drama and comedy. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Age is a broadsheet daily newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... November 1 is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 60 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

  • ASIO Intelligence Officer Recruitment
  • ASIO Surveillance Officer Recruitment
  • ASIO Intelligence Analyst Recruitment


Australian intelligence agencies

ASIS | ASIO | ONA | Defence Intelligence Group (consisting of: DIGO | DIO | DSD)
Australian government intelligence agencies include the following bodies. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) is the Australian government intelligence agency responsible for collecting foreign intelligence, undertaking counter-intelligence activities and cooperation with other intelligence agencies overseas. ... The Office of National Assessments (ONA) is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for the analysis of intelligence. ... The Australian Defence Intelligence Group, which comes under the auspices of the Deputy Secretary for Intelligence and Security, is an affiliation of three Australian defence intelligence agencies. ... The Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO) is a Australian government agency responsible for the tasking (collection), exploitation (analysis), and dissemination (distribution) of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). ... The Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) is one of Australias intelligence agencies, providing assessment of intelligence obtained by other Australian and cooperating foreign intelligence agencies, supporting Defence and Government decision_making and the planning and conduct of Australian Defence Force operations. ... The Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) is Australias signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection agency. ...

edit

  Results from FactBites:
 
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security - Annual Report 2002 -2003 (3648 words)
ASIO did not become aware of this for several weeks, during which time a significant number of dialling events were collected but not processed due to their short duration.
During the reporting period I asked ASIO to explain the rationale for using foreign assistance in two operations, and to sight the undertakings these officers were required to complete in respect of the handling of processed material relating to Australian persons.
He took the ASIO officers and accompanying police to the other premises and they began the search in accordance with normal procedures, only to realise after a short time that they were not at the address specified in the warrant.
ASIO - An Imperfect Spy (5678 words)
Looking into her own ASIO file is a trip back to a time when ASIO was seen as the great blighter of careers, when free speech and friendship were paralysed by the very fear of the presumed security file.
ASIO in the 50's and 60's had another section, now defunct, known as Q branch, the agent runners and sometimes the surveillance footage reveals mingled in with their targets the ASIO agents themselves.
ASIO pronounces its greatest victory of recent times as the state of comparative peace that occurred here in Australia while the bombs and rockets were falling in Kuwait, Iraq and Israel.
  More results at FactBites »


 
 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms, 1022, m