ASIO chief Mike Burgess revealed as keynote speaker at SA component of upcoming Australian-first social media summit

The line-up of speakers for an Australian-first social media summit has been revealed, with the head of Australia’s spy agency set to deliver the keynote address.

The head of Australia’s top security agency has been announced as the keynote speaker at the SA component of an Australian-first social media summit to be held later this month.

Mike Burgess, the director-general of ASIO, will speak about Australia’s security environment and the agency’s work countering espionage, foreign interference, politically-motivated violence and terrorism.

He will also address how such threats can be enabled and accelerated by social media, and share his concerns about the number of minors within ASIO’s counter-terrorism caseload.

The SA part of the summit, to be held in Adelaide on Friday October 11, will be hosted and moderated by journalist and author Annabel Crabb. The NSW government will hold sessions in Sydney on the Thursday before.

ASIO boss Mike Burgess will deliver the keynote address at the SA component of an Australian-first social media summit. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Premier Peter Malinauskas said banning social media “can’t just be up to governments”. Picture: Keryn Stevens

In Adelaide, the summit will also hear from former Chief Justice of the High Court, Robert French, who will discuss his report that outlines a legislative path to ban children under the age of 14 from accessing social media.

Two panel discussions will form part of the event, with attendees to hear from experts including Children and Media Australia president Professor Elizabeth Handsley, SA Secondary Schools Association chief executive Kirsty Amos and Carly Ryan Foundation founder Sonya Ryan.

Representatives from The Advertiser’s Teen Parliament will also participate in a Q and A discussion.

Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was looking forward to hearing from the range of experts and specialists who will feature at the upcoming summit.

“We are very proud to have led the way on banning social media for children, an approach which is now being adopted across the nation,” he said.

“But this can’t just be up to governments.

“We need to make sure our parents, teachers and children are armed with the best possible advice and understanding to address these emerging challenges.”

South Australians are being encouraged to share their views on social media in the lead-up to the summit.

A survey can be completed at https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/impacts-of-social-media

Responses will be used to inform discussions at the summit, which will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend.