According to a Reuters report, Burgess revealed that ASIO is investigating pro-Russian influencers who are working with an overseas media organization to denounce Australia’s support for Kiev, while spreading “venomous and polarizing commentary” on social media about anti-immigration protests and pro-Palestinian marches. “These state-sponsored trolls want to turn burning issues into violence,” he said. In addition, a large neo-Nazi group, National Socialist Network”, also tried to take advantage of recent rallies.
Burgess also referred to Iran, which he said orchestrated two anti-Semitic attacks in Australia in August through intermediaries, as part of a global effort to incite hatred. ASIO also assessed that there was a “real possibility” that a foreign government would try to assassinate a regime dissident in Australia, noting that at least three countries were capable of carrying out such deadly attacks. These efforts, Burgess says, are gaining “limited traction” thanks to Australia’s social safety net and growing economy.