ASIO briefs Tassie teachers ahead of China trip

Teachers and school staff headed to Asia to promote Tasmania as a desirable place to study have been briefed by ASIO ahead of their trip — but state and federal bodies are tight-lipped as to why.

TEACHERS and school staff headed to Asia to promote Tasmania as a desirable place to study have been briefed by national spy agency ASIO ahead of their trip — but state and federal bodies are tight-lipped as to why.

State Growth said only that it organised “briefings from all relevant agencies before all international missions” and ASIO did not respond to requests for information yesterday.

A Study Tasmania delegation will travel to Hong Kong and the Chinese cities of Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shanghai next month

Study Tasmania delegates heading to China have been briefed by several bodies, including ASIO, ahead of the trip next month.

The group will include 10 representatives from schools, higher education and vocational training providers, as well as two support staff from State Growth.

ASIO’s outreach team provided up to 10 briefings on foreign interference and espionage to government agencies every week last year, according to the body’s annual report.

These were aimed at “improving understanding, among federal and state governments and industry, of techniques employed by foreign intelligence services, manifestations of espionage and foreign interference, and the associated risks of this interference, to protect our national institutions of government from foreign influence”, the report said.

Study Tasmania delegates were briefed by several bodies — including ASIO — ahead of the May journey.

“We request briefings from all relevant agencies before all international missions,” the State Growth spokesman said.

A department spokesman said delegates were required to pay for their travel and accommodation and that trade mission costs would be declared once the trip ended.

ASIO director general of security Duncan Lewis appearing at Senate Estimates at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: KYM SMITH

“The mission is timed to coincide with the inaugural Australia-China STEM Conference in Shanghai and will promote Tasmania’s international education sector and the world-class education we have on offer,” the State Growth spokesman said.

“It will include education showcases for key education agents and partners in China and Hong Kong, as well as student expos and alumni events.”

Tasmania is keen to attract more lucrative international students after recording a 30 per cent increase in enrolments from that market last year.

The Government’s recently-released Tasmanian Trade Strategy has listed international education as a key sector, and will sell the state’s educational programs, lifestyle, “stunning natural environment” and reputation for high-quality products and services to future students.

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