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Reuters
Reuters
Politics
Kirsty Needham

Australia's spy boss says politicising national security 'not helpful'

Passengers aboard a ferry can be seen through an Australian national flag as they participate in celebrations for Australia Day, which marks the arrival of Britain's First Fleet in 1788, on Sydney Harbour in Australia, January 26, 2018. REUTERS/Steven Saphore

Australia's spy chief has warned in a rare TV interview against politicising intelligence advice as an election looms, saying unsuccessful attempts by foreign governments at interference had targeted both sides of politics.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess's comments come after Prime Minister Scott Morrison accused the deputy Labor opposition leader in parliament on Wednesday of being Beijing's "Manchurian Candidate", before withdrawing the slur.

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