Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Abetz for the question, and I acknowledge his long, long interest in national security matters in Australia.

Whilst the government have been focused on tackling the threat of COVID-19, we have never ever lost sight of the many challenges to our safety and security that exist in what we know is a rapidly changing security environment. As Australians would be aware, the threat environment constantly evolves. In fact, it may come as a surprise to most Australians to know that the levels of espionage and foreign interference are higher now than during the Cold War. We know that there are foreign agents working with intent to damage our society. They want to undermine our security, and they want to interfere with the work of government and, ultimately, with the work of our country.

In ASIO's recent annual report, Director-General Mike Burgess said that espionage could well rival terrorism as a threat to our interests and to our safety. Of course, as members of parliament it is incredibly important for us to remind ourselves that we can also be targets for foreign interference and espionage, especially those who aspire to be ministers in any government.

As Director-General Mike Burgess said, foreign spies are attempting to obtain classified information about Australia's trade relationships, and defence and intelligence capabilities. They are seeking to develop targeted relationships with current and former politicians, and current and former security clearance holders. We should always be careful of underplaying the danger of being cavalier about the intentions of these types of people, of these characters and actors, should our paths cross with them as we go about our duties. As members of parliament, we must always remain ever vigilant to the threats posed by espionage and foreign interference.