Even more foreboding were the remarks made by Mr. Mike Burgess, Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO). He particularly warned about the extensive dangers that foreign governments bring while acting on Australian soil. In an address this past spring, for instance, he threatened opposition figures that they faced a likely assassination attempt. He warned that as many as three other countries now have the capacity and intent to conduct such schemes.
Burgess’s remarks come amid rising tensions surrounding the threats to Australia’s social cohesion. He pointed out that various groups, including individuals with grievances, extremist organizations, and state actors, are increasingly targeting Australia’s social fabric. The ASIO chief’s comments underline the complex landscape of foreign interference and the urgent need for vigilance in protecting national security.
Growing Threats from Foreign Governments
As explained by Mr. Burgess, hostile foreign governments are currently and aggressively seeking to take advantage of divisions between Australians. He pointed out that these countries are increasingly willing to conduct such “high-harm operations,” which may involve lethal force. And he highlights the concerns around assassination attempts. This underlines a larger issue of how states continue to attack dissenting voices.
“We believe there are at least three nations willing and capable of conducting lethal targeting here.” – Mike Burgess
Although Mr. Burgess didn’t explicitly label China a threat, he implied that Beijing’s actions could be connected to his concerns. Taken together, his signals signaled an increasing alarm that China is up to no good. He further observed that Beijing’s representatives frequently lodge complaints to members of the Australian government. When he’s the one who’s right, and maybe even prescient—that is, naming China as the real long-term threat—they never come after him personally.
Those remarks, delivered at a recent speech in Canberra, denote increasing alarm about how foreign governments could be subverting Australia’s domestic democratic processes. There was one dangerous trend that Burgess was right to flag. In some cases, regimes will use criminal intermediaries to obfuscate their role in nefarious actions, such as the directed arson attacks in Iran.
Social Cohesion Under Siege
Burgess neatly laid out his concerns about how foreign political and economic interference is eroding Australia’s social cohesion and national integrity. He described the current landscape as one where the “social fabric is fraying — fraying in ways we have never experienced before.” This decline is due in great part to bad faith disinformation campaigns, conspiracy theories fueled by bad actors, and intentional meddling from foreign influences.
In his speech, he identified three primary groups responsible for this erosion: “the aggrieved, the opportunistic, and the cunning.” These groups range from individuals driven by personal grievances to sophisticated extremist organizations adept at exploiting public anger and using protests as recruitment tools.
Burgess called out Hizb ut-Tahrir in particular. This organization is indeed classified as a terror group in the UK, but Australia has not gotten around to designating it as such. He also criticized Iran for launching anti-Semitic attacks towards Australia. Families fleeing violence to find safety will not be able to rely on external factors that may increase domestic violence.
“You cannot spy your way to greater cohesion or arrest your way to fewer grievances.” – Mike Burgess
The Impact of Technology and Disinformation
The ASIO chief went on to describe how the shape of disinformation has changed thanks to technology. He added that the internet has acted as an incubator for radical ideas, but social media is vastly increasing their spread. The advent of artificial intelligence only worsens these problems.
He stated that he was gravely concerned about AI’s ability to supercharge online radicalization and disinformation campaigns to new heights. As technological capabilities develop, so do the tactics used by those trying to sow discord.
“While the internet incubates, social media accelerates. And while the internet incubates and social media accelerates, artificial intelligence exacerbates.” – Mike Burgess
Burgess concluded his speech on a note of cautious optimism, acknowledging that while challenges are substantial, there remains hope for collective action. He underlined the fact that all of us have an important role to ensure social cohesion in our country is protected and strengthened.
“Every one of us has a role to play. Our words matter, our decisions matter, our actions matter.” – Mike Burgess
