Australia's top intelligence official has raised alarms about the potential for foreign governments to carry out assassination attempts on Australian soil. Mike Burgess, the director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), stated there is a "realistic possibility" that at least three nations are willing and capable of such actions. He made these remarks during the 2025 Lowy Lecture on Tuesday evening.

Burgess emphasized that Australia is facing unprecedented security challenges. He noted, "There is a realistic possibility a foreign government will attempt to assassinate a perceived dissident in Australia. This threat is real." While he did not specify which countries might be involved, he highlighted the increasing willingness of foreign regimes to engage in harmful activities.

In his speech, Burgess referenced recent incidents where foreign influence has been evident. He pointed to Iran's involvement in firebombings at two locations in Australia, which were orchestrated through a "complex web of cut-outs" that obscured the regime's direct involvement. He explained that those involved in the attacks may not have even realized they were acting on behalf of the Iranian government.

Burgess also discussed the role of Russian influencers in Australia, stating that investigations are underway into their activities. He described these individuals as state-sanctioned trolls who aim to exacerbate divisions within Australian society. "These state-sanctioned trolls are more than propaganda puppets; they want to turn hot-button issues into burning issues, tipping disagreement into division and division into violence," he said.

The ASIO chief revealed that his agency has been actively working to counter these threats. He recounted a recent operation where ASIO disrupted a foreign intelligence plot aimed at recruiting Australians to gather sensitive information about the economy, critical minerals, and the AUKUS security pact. In this case, an Australian was lured to a third country for a meeting with foreign spies, but ASIO intervened, sending a clear message that Australians were "off limits."

Burgess expressed concern over the impact of international conflicts, particularly the ongoing situation in the Middle East, on Australia's security landscape. He noted that while the conflict has not directly inspired terrorism in Australia, it has heightened tensions and increased the likelihood of politically motivated violence. He warned that even if a ceasefire holds, challenges to social cohesion are expected to persist.

The ASIO director-general also highlighted the rise of extremist groups and the normalization of inflammatory rhetoric in Australia. He cited Hizb ut-Tahrir as an example of a group that promotes antisemitic sentiments without directly advocating for violence. Burgess stated, "I fear its anti-Israel rhetoric is fueling and normalizing wider antisemitic narratives."

In conclusion, Burgess underscored the need for vigilance in the face of these evolving threats. He stated, "Australia has never faced so many different threats, at scale, at once." He urged the public to remain security aware and consider the implications of their words and actions in this complex environment.