Since the September 11 terror attacks, police and spy agencies have been given new resources and powers to keep Australians safe, but critics say they could go too far.
A year before Osama bin Laden orchestrated the September 11, 2001 attacks, Australia’s spymaster Dennis Richardson was alert to threat that al-Qaeda posed.
Buried in ASIO’s annual report for 1999-2000, Richardson wrote: “The threat to US and Israeli interests in Australia was kept under continuing review against developments in the Middle East peace process and the threat of terrorist activity by associates of Usama bin Laden and other groups.”
Andrew TillettForeign affairs, defence correspondentAndrew Tillett writes on politics, foreign affairs, defence and security from the Canberra press gallery. Connect with Andrew on Facebook and Twitter. Email Andrew at andrew.tillett@afr.com
