Labor accuses Coalition of playing politics over changes to secretive intelligence committee

Surveillance cameras outside the Asio headquarters in Canberra. The parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security regularly receives top-secret briefings from Australian security agencies. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

The Albanese government has accused the Coalition of playing politics with national security, amid a political brawl over changes that could see crossbenchers join the secretive bipartisan intelligence committee.

There is speculation that the independent MP Andrew Wilkie could be in contention to be appointed to the committee – which only has major party members – but the government has not confirmed any potential choices.