Australia orders review of intelligence agencies

ANKARA

Australia on Friday commissioned an "independent review" into its intelligence agencies to check the spy agencies’ ability to serve the country.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the review will ensure that Australia’s intelligence agencies remain well-placed to serve the country’s national interest, according to a statement from the premier’s office.

"The work of our intelligence agencies underpins Australia’s national security objectives, including safeguarding Australia’s sovereignty in an increasingly uncertain security environment. Our intelligence agencies help protect Australia’s security, prosperity, and values in complex and changing circumstances," he said.

The review will be co-led by Heather Smith and Richard Maude.

Smith is currently a professor at the Australian National University National Security College while Maude is currently executive director of policy at Asia Society Australia and a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

The findings will be submitted to the government by mid-2024.

“This independent review will make sure that our intelligence agencies are best positioned to serve the Australian national interest, respond to future capability and workforce challenges, and continue to protect our security, prosperity, and values,” said the premier.

The latest development came after an Indian intelligence services officer was expelled from Canada, which is intel sharing ally of Australia.

On Monday, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said a "top Indian diplomat" has been expelled from the country in connection with the June assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

According to some media reports, the diplomat was Pavan Kumar Rai, who was allegedly associated with India's premier intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).