‘Remarkable’: Opposition Questions Decision to Axe Spy Chiefs from Peak Body

The Albanese Labor government has some explaining to do, according to Shadow Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Simon Birmingham. His comments come after revelations the federal government removed Australia’s top spy chiefs from the National Security Committee (NSC), the peak decision-making body for security and threats to the country. The NSC normally comprises cabinet ministers and the heads of Australia’s intelligence organisations, including the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO, and the equivalent of MI5 and the FBI overseas), as well as the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS, like MI6 and the CIA). However, on March 18, in the lead-up to an official visit by Beijing’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Canberra, Director-Generals Mike Burgess (ASIO), and Kerri Hartland (ASIS) were revealed to have been axed from the peak body....