Spies targeting journalists, intelligence chief warns

The disclosure of classified intelligence threatens Australia's security, ASIO's Mike Burgess says. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia's intelligence agency is warning against watering down secrecy laws when it comes to journalists, arguing they are targets for foreign spies, which creates a potential threat to national security. 

The disclosure of classified and top secret information and intelligence threatened Australia's economy and security, and posed a threat to life, ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said.