Australian politician ‘sold out’ to foreign regime after being recruited by spies, Asio boss says

[Aristotle Pickett]

Australian politician ‘sold out’ to foreign regime after being recruited by spies, Asio boss says

Mike Burgess outlines activities of spy network dubbed ‘the A-team’ in annual threat assessment, without naming former politician nor the country involved

www.google.com

 

[Aristotle Pickett]

If I were to guess , I would say Canavan, Morrison , Stuart Robert, Joyce, Jane Hume or Ken Wyatt.

Edit: It's a former politician.

 

[Rob R]

If I were to guess , I would say Canavan, Morrison , Stuart Robert, Joyce, Jane Hume or Ken Wyatt

Carr or Keating given how many millions they have paid by Chinese government agencies and their desperation to push Xis agenda at all costs. Xenophon sold out his ethics to work for Huawei.

On SM-A125F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[FruitTingles]

We should find out soon enough once the media asks every former MP if it was them.

 

[FruitTingles]

Given the Dunkley poll coming and the odd timing of the announcement (can the ASIO boss really just spill this to the media?). Gladys Liu could be the one as there’s a history of connection to CCP affiliated bodies.

 

[TheEscapeClub]

How but the one that was actually sanctioned for it and was later on I'm a Celebrity - Get Me Out Of Here trying to redeem himself?

 

[Aristotle Pickett]

Craig Kelly a possibility.

 

[Aristotle Pickett]

'Joe Hockey said it was “not standard practice” as Hockey is now apparently an expert in how Asio and like minded security agencies operate.

He compares it to America, which has a completely different system '

Guardian live blog

 

[FredLeDeux]

Australian politician ‘sold out’ to foreign regime after being recruited by spies, Asio boss says

Mike Burgess outlines activities of spy network dubbed ‘the A-team’ in annual threat assessment, without naming former politician nor the country involved

www.google.com

Burgess' word not worth pissing on.

 

[Gough]

MP who left prior to the 2019 election by the sounds of it.

 

[kickazz]

Spies are recruited based on one or more of:

Money - any MP who was in the s**t?
Ideology - there are some strong ideologues among the ranks but I doubt this one at this level
Coercion - ie blackmail. Would have to be something big, politicians are used to having their dirty laundry made public
Ego - Strong possibility in the political class.

 

[Rotayjay]

Burgess implied that the politician won't be prosecuted because the 2018 foreign interference laws aren't retrospective, implying that this predates the legislation. But maybe the reason no one will be prosecuted is that doing so would name China as the country involved, and Australia doesn't want to jeapordise the 'normalising' relations.

 

[Black Diamond]

Are we allowed to speculate?

Kevin Rudd. Speaks mandarin, connected in academic, diplomatic and political circles. Would know the right people.

 

[kickazz]

Are we allowed to speculate?

Kevin Rudd. Speaks mandarin, connected in academic, diplomatic and political circles. Would know the right people.

ticks the ego box

 

[Carn The Berries]

Heard a legal professor on ABC News this morning talking about last night's "revelation". He was of the strong opinion that, based on the minimal details provided by the ASIO Chief, that a crime would still have been committed even before the updated legislation came into effect.

I have to say, this announcement was pretty reckless and seemingly unnecessary by the Chief. From the sounds of it the incident(s) occurred many years ago so...
a) why now?
b) why not name who it was?
c) why wasn't it pursued (or if it was, why wasn't it made public)?

Seems a very un-needed red-herring to me. If it's as serious as he makes out, surely it should be followed up?

 

[Black Diamond]

Is Sam Dastyari still in the tent?

I saw him get out of a car with Bob Carr a few years ago, so at least one heavy hitter sees fit to keep him around.

 

[CD Xbow]

Carr or Keating given how many millions they have paid by Chinese government agencies and their desperation to push Xis agenda at all costs. Xenophon sold out his ethics to work for Huawei.

On SM-A125F using BigFooty.com mobile app

We know this new revelation is not about Bob Carr because we all know he sold out years ago, number one Panda Hugger. There's a few suspects on both sides parliament.

 

[spinynorman]

We know numerous Labor Right politicians, including Bob Carr and Bob Hawke, were assets to the United States and would work with the CIA to keep the ALP and union movement "moderate", but I'm guessing ASIO wouldn't care about that so much.

 

[kickazz]

China is the unbackable favourite, sure - but any other surprise countries we think it could be?

 

[Donakebab]

It's not a former PM.

 

[Mofra]

China is the unbackable favourite, sure - but any other surprise countries we think it could be?

New Zealand. They want Russell Crowe back

 

[kalex6251]

raf epstein just spoke with nick mckenzie on abc melbourne .... mckenzie suggests smokin joes offerings this morning points to an ex labor pollie

 

[Festerz]

Poor form for the ASIO boss to throw this out there without naming. He knows what will happen now as the posts above demonstrate clearly.

And of course Pauline Hanson and her ilk will use Parliamentary Privilege to attack her opponents for political gain.

And right before a key by-election and Tasmanian state election.

I don't believe for a second that a public official of Burgess's stature is recklessly indifferent to the consequences of what he's just done. So what exactly is HIS motive?

 

[Donakebab]

Poor form for the ASIO boss to throw this out there without naming. He knows what will happen now as the posts above demonstrate clearly.

And of course Pauline Hanson and her ilk will use Parliamentary Privilege to attack her opponents for political gain.

And right before a key by-election and Tasmanian state election.

I don't believe for a second that a public official of Burgess's stature is recklessly indifferent to the consequences of what he's just done. So what exactly is HIS motive?

He knows exactly what he's doing, it's a calculated decision. It's a clear warning for others out there perilously close to the same path.

 

[Crankyhawk]

Heard a legal professor on ABC News this morning talking about last night's "revelation". He was of the strong opinion that, based on the minimal details provided by the ASIO Chief, that a crime would still have been committed even before the updated legislation came into effect.

I have to say, this announcement was pretty reckless and seemingly unnecessary by the Chief. From the sounds of it the incident(s) occurred many years ago so...
a) why now?
b) why not name who it was?
c) why wasn't it pursued (or if it was, why wasn't it made public)?

Seems a very un-needed red-herring to me. If it's as serious as he makes out, surely it should be followed up?

Perhaps being pursued therefore not named