WikiLeaks cables reveal Bob Hawke thought Gough Whitlam was stupid

Source and full story ---> adelaidenow: "Declassified US cables, released by WikiLeaks, reveal that Mr Hawke told an embassy source named Labatt that Mr Whitlam could not be trusted to run the economy "any place but down"."

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MELBOURNE ASIO NEGATIVE REFUGEES BEGIN MASS HUNGER STRIKE

Refugee Advocacy Network: "At 2.00am, Monday morning (8 April), 28 ASIO negative refugees (24 Sri
Lankan, 2 Iranian 2 Rohingyans) began a hunger strike at the Melbourne
Immigration Transit Accommodation (MITA) detention centre. They have
gathered on the playground inside the detention facility."

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GovernmentCareer - Executive Branch EL1 - Various in ACT

Source and full AD ---> federal.governmentcareer.com.au: "As a member of the Branch, you will be part of a small and dynamic team with exposure to senior officers both within ASIS and across the broader National Security Community."

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Is Australian Foreign Minister A "Spy?"

Source and full story ---> OpEd Eurasia Review: "Is Australian Foreign Minister A “Spy?” Australian Newspaper Exposes Bob Carr As An “agent” Under US Influence – OpEd"

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Intense pressure on security agencies

Source and full story ---> The Australian: "TWO asylum-seekers released into community detention and a third issued a bridging visa had to be hauled back into detention after ASIO found they were threats to national security."

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For spies in disguise it's all about being boring

Source and full story ---> canberratimes.com.au: "IF CANBERRA has a reputation for being a poorly dressed drab city, it could be because the style mandate for ASIO's intelligence officers is ''boring''."

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ASIO reasons for rejection 'seven lines long'

Source and full story ---> abc.net.au: "A refugee advocate says the reasons provided by ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) for adverse security assessments of some refugees are too brief and impossible to contest."

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ASIO office behind schedule

Source and full story ---> canberratimes: "THE MASSIVE ASIO building will not open for at least another several months, behind schedule and well over budget."

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Giving teeth to racist dogma

Source and full story ---> theage.com.au: "Thus Morrison has explained that the context for the comments is that the asylum seekers ''would otherwise be in detention'', and that they have not been fully ASIO-cleared before release."

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Rights groups alarmed by spy agency 'power grab'

Source and full story ---> ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "Civil liberties groups have expressed alarm at moves by Australia's Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) to expand its range of intelligence-gathering powers."

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Dreyfus rebuts any conflict of interest on spy agencies

Source and full story ---> The Australian: "JULIA Gillard's cabinet reshuffle has left Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus fending off conflict-of-interest claims after his new appointment made him both the minister responsible for the operation of the domestic spy agency and the minister responsible for its independent oversight."

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Troubled ASIO building claims another victim

Source and full story ---> canberratimes.com.au: "Another local building firm has become a casualty of the dispute over Canberra's $633 million ASIO office building project."

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Abu Sayyaf agrees to free Australian

Source and full story ---> rappler.com: "MANILA, Philippines - Kidnappers of Australian Warren Richard Rodwell have agreed to release him Thursday, March 21, two senior intelligence officials told Rappler."

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ASIO contractor may have traded while insolvent

Source and full story ---> canberratimes: "A key contractor on Canberra's $633 million ASIO building may have been trading while insolvent for up to three months, according to the firm's administrators."

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Watchdog holds fears for indefinite detainees

Source and full story ---> theage: "Fears have been raised for the welfare of about a dozen asylum seekers who have been held in detention for more than two years, with no immediate hope of release."

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Australian Secret Intelligence Service exempt from Work Health and Safety Act

Source and full story ---> The Australian: "AGENTS of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service operate in dangerous places, go armed to the teeth with other agencies to raid terrorist strongholds and generally risk life and limb keeping us safe from all manner of threats."

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Spy safety rule is not too bright

Source and full story ---> News.com.au: "AUSTRALIA'S top spies could be blowing their covers by sporting bright yellow safety vests under workplace laws they are required to follow."

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Australian government’s cover-up of “Prisoner X’s” death in Israel

Source and full story ---> World Socialist Web Site: "Further damning evidence has emerged that the Labor government not only knew about the detention and death of Ben Zygier, a dual Australian-Israeli citizen, in Israel during 2010, but systematically covered up his fate until the case finally came to light last month. "

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Officials broke rules on Zygier as case was flicked to ASIO

Source and full story ---> The Maitland Mercury: "Two of Australia's highest ranking foreign affairs officials knew of the jailing of Melbourne man Ben Zygier - dubbed ''Prisoner X'' - in Israel but left his consular care in the hands of spy agency ASIO in clear breach of the department's own rules."

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ASIO Building Dispute Reinforces Need for Federal Small Business Commissioner with Real Power | Greens MPs

Source and full story ---> Greens MPs: "The ongoing dispute between ASIO and a number of small building firms to the tune of $6m is further evidence of the need for a Federal Small Business Commissioner with real authority."

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