CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s national security agency foiled an attempt by a foreign government to interfere in a domestic Australian election, the country’s spy chief said, highlighting the need for protection against such action as the country heads to the polls within months.
The unnamed foreign government used a wealthy individual dubbed a “puppeteer” to fund candidates favorable to their country’s aims, said Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO), in his annual threat assessment speech on Wednesday night. He didn’t give details of the specific election, the country involved or the timing of the incident.
The “agent of interference has roots in Australia but did the bidding of offshore masters, knowingly and covertly seeking to advance the interests of the foreign power and, in the process, undermine Australia’s sovereignty,” Burgess said.
