Muristek
Asio ‘not here to be politicised’ says spy agency chief after Peter Dutton's accusations – video
The head of Asio, Mike Burgess, has defended his organisation's political neutrality after information leaked to the news media alleged the Labor party was being used in a foreign interference plot. 'I take our reputation very seriously. Asio is not here to be politicised. It should not be,' he said. The comments came days after the defence minister, Peter Dutton, ramped up the government’s attack on Labor in parliament by claiming the Chinese government had picked Albanese 'as their candidate'. Senior Labor frontbencher Kristina Keneally asked during Senate estimates if Asio held 'any concerns about foreign interference in any of Labor's federal candidates in the upcoming federal election'. Burgess said Albanese, who recently said the spy agency chief had not raised any concerns with him about Labor's federal election candidates, 'gave an accurate account' of their conversation
► Subscribe to Guardian Australia on YouTube
Asio chief says intelligence is ‘not here to be politicised’ after Dutton accuses LaborPeter Dutton has plumbed new and dangerous depths by suggesting China is backing Labor | Daniel Hurst Continue reading...