Liberal MP Keith Wolahan backs ASIO decision keep identity of politician turned spy secret

Liberal MP Keith Wolahan has backed ASIO’s decision to keep the identity of a former politician working as a foreign spy secret despite initial calls from Peter Dutton to reveal the individual’s identity.

ABC’s QandA panellists were questioned on whether the revelation that a former Australian politician was working for a foreign intelligence service while working in parliament was an example of how the rule of law had diminished public trust in the bodies Australians should be able to trust to keep them safe.

The question from an audience member came after ASIO chief Mike Burgess divulged that a former Australian politician was serving in either state, territory or federal parliament at the time they were recruited by a foreign intelligence service “several years ago”.

While Mr Burgess refused to reveal their identity or name the nation behind the effort, he detailed in his annual threat assessment last week that China’s own secret police agency, The Ministry of State Security, was involved in what he called the “A-team” – a network of spies that had been actively targeting leaders.

On Monday evening, Mr Wolahan said he was “extremely disturbed” to learn a former politician was working for a foreign intelligence service.

“Right now we’re trying to recruit young Australians to join the Defence Force and asking them to potentially give up everything for the national interest,” he said.

“To think that someone in the building that we serve, put their own interests ahead of the national interest is disgraceful. It’s just disgraceful.”

While the member for Menzies empathised with Australians who want to know the person’s identity, he said the “risk” of revealing the identity could be far-reaching.

“I understand why people want to know who that is and to hold them to account,” he said.

“The difficulty we have is that we have to give some trust to our agencies because we cannot reveal the tactics, techniques and procedures that our agencies use.

“It’s possible that there is a risk that they will be revealed if the person’s name is read out in parliamentary privilege.

“If it’s read outside of the building, there’s a risk of court cases that would bring all sorts of problems.”

Mr Wolahan’s comments follow Mr Dutton’s initial calls for former Treasurer Joe Hockey to publicly out the alleged offender.

“It’s pretty rough to essentially besmirch former politicians when he’s talking about one and the trouble is if he doesn’t indicate the name then there’s a cloud hanging over everybody else,” Mr Dutton told 2GB on Thursday.

But on Friday, Mr Dutton said he would respect Mr Burgess’ position.

“If he doesn’t want to provide the name on that basis, then we take his advice,” Mr Dutton said.

“It’s difficult when these allegations are made, because I think it casts a cloud over former MPs, that’s why I think if you can you should name the person, but Mr Burgess has outlined why he can’t and we accept that advice.”

Joining Mr Wolahan on the panel, minister for finance, women and the public service Katy Gallagher said while she could understand the public interest, there was a reason why the name would not be made public.

“I don’t think anything he (Mr Burgess) says isn’t said without a reason. But politicians don’t meddle in that. If he chose not to name the individuals, that’s his decision,” she said.

“I think it is important that we back in … (the) decision that he’s made with all of the information before him.

“I think the point he was making, and it’s a real one … is that foreign interference and some of the actions of other countries in trying to get close and get information — particularly with people in public life, but also senior business leaders is a real threat — and it’s a threat that the director general was drawing to our attention.”