Brian Toohey
Brian Toohe is a columnist and author. His latest book is Secret: The Makings of Australia’s Security State.
Opinion
University
Sydney University’s invasive conflict of interest declaration rings security alarm bells
Higher degree by research students have to declare their personal relationships, including sexual partners, broadly relevant to their candidature.
- by Brian Toohey
Latest
Opinion
Freedom of speech
Two alarming assaults on your freedom by a government that spruiks liberty
The Morrison government is quietly pushing ahead with two bills that will allow government to alter, delete or add to your internet content even if you haven't been convicted of anything.
- by Brian Toohey
Opinion
National security
The most powerful mandarin in our 'extended' security state
Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo has advocated that the state must "embed itself invisibly" to defend its citizens. The liberal tradition might prefer the state derived its powers from the consent of the governed.
- by Brian Toohey
Opinion
National security
Why universities shouldn't write our spy agencies' official histories - not even for $2m
It's a cautionary tale - and mysterious one. But Australians need as much transparency as possible about their security agencies, not vetted histories.
- by Brian Toohey
Opinion
China relations
What you'd expect in dictatorships: why our universities fear Morrison's crackdown on China links
China is the biggest source of refereed scientific journal articles in the world. The Morrison government needs to tread carefully in meddling with Australians' academic freedom to conduct research partnerships with China.
- by Brian Toohey
Opinion
Information security
Security concerns over reciprocal data exchange deal
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton is pushing a bill that would give Australia the right to force overseas companies to disclose data about Australian citizens. It would also give reciprocal rights to a number of foreign governments.
- by Brian Toohey
Opinion
International affairs
Drop the pretence when it comes to India
The Morrison government keeps stressing that we share many common values with India but not China. This claim doesn’t square with reality.
- by Brian Toohey
Opinion
Five eyes
Five Eyes largely blind to COVID threat, so why deepen economic ties?
The Morrison government is reaching out to the Five Eyes electronic espionage group on economic issues.
- by Brian Toohey
A star-spangled spanner in the works: how US secrecy controls Australian weapons
This is a matter of Australia's sovereignty. The lesson of history is that the US will not necessarily leap to Australia's defence in its hour of need, yet Australia cannot even know the source codes of its own weapons systems while America keeps them secret.
- by Brian Toohey
Opinion
CCP influence
Reports of China spies and takeover plots are fanciful
China's clandestine influence efforts in Australia are real, but reports suggesting it wanted to install an MP in our Parliament and take over our political system are wildly exaggerated.
- by Brian Toohey
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/by/brian-toohey-j7gev