Government apologises to ASIO director-general for ‘pressure release’ briefing disclosure
Labor has apologised to ASIO’s director-general after a confidential briefing to an MP where he purportedly described pro-Palestine rallies as a ‘pressure release’ was relayed to a voter.
The federal government has apologised to ASIO director-general Mike Burgess after a confidential briefing to a Labor MP where he purportedly described pro-Palestine rallies as a “pressure release” on domestic terror was relayed to a voter.
Speaking during a budget estimates hearing on Monday night, the director-general said any and all briefings were confidential, and should not have been disclosed by the member.
“A private briefing is a private briefing,” he said.
In December, The Australian revealed how Higgins Labor MP Michelle Ananda-Rajah wrote to a Jewish constituent who had raised concerns about the location of Melbourne’s weekly pro-Palestine rallies.
“On the matter of protests, the DG of ASIO, Mike Burgess, advised me that these (pro-Palestine rallies) serve as a pressure release, which is valuable given the real risk of a domestic terror attack,” the MP wrote to the voter.
“I can live with a protest (provided it is respectful) but not with terrorism.”
When questioned on the purported advice by Opposition Home Affairs spokesman James Paterson, Mr Burgess said any briefings were private and he was not aware that Ms Ananda-Rajah intended to relay information.
“I did not intend that (for his purported comments to be relayed publicly), no,” he said.
When asked if Ms Ananda-Rajah had sought permission to relay the briefing to a voter, Mr Burgess said she had not.
He also revealed that a member of the government, in the days after The Australian’s report, had reached out to apologise.
“I did receive an apology from the government… I’d prefer not to say (who gave the apology),” Mr Burgess said.
Senator Paterson told The Australian disclosing confidential information from ASIO was a “flagrant breach”.
“It was grossly inappropriate for Ms Ananda-Rajah to publicly disclose what was purportedly said at a private briefing by the ASIO director-general,” he said.
“It is a good thing someone in the government has apologised for this flagrant breach, which undermines the trusted working relationship our security and intelligence agencies need to be able to have with parliament.”
The Senator said that Ms Ananda-Rajah’s interpretation of exactly what Mr Burgess said couldn’t be totally relied upon, but urged Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil to make clear sensitive briefings were confidential.
“The minister should ensure all her Labor colleagues understand the importance of respecting confidentiality of briefings from intelligence agencies,” he said.
A pro-Palestine rally has been held every Sunday outside the State Library Victoria, which is hosting the Hebrew-scripture exhibition, Luminous. The voter wanted to talk to Ms Ananda-Rajah about the location, given herself and fellow members of the Jewish community were concerned about wearing identifiable clothing en route to the exhibition.
Previously, Ms Ananda-Rajah declined to comment specifically on the apparent advice, given its “sensitive” nature.
She did say that social cohesion was “our most valuable national asset”, and it is understood she has been a “staunch friend” of the Jewish community in her electorate and Victoria.
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