Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Today's establishment of a Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce represents a joined-up, whole-of-intelligence-community effort. This task force brings together a package of intelligence capabilities, including many from within the Defence portfolio. This is in order to drive the effective and integrated operational response to this invidious challenge to our nation's interests. The Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation in the Department of Defence collects and analyses imagery from data so that we can better understand the threats we face, including from foreign interference. This new package will allow AGO to provide greater, dedicated support to the new Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce. And to complement that, the Australian Signals Directorate will also be doing work in support of countering foreign interference. ASD will establish a new team to focus specifically on targets that seek to undermine and disrupt Australia's national interests.