Foreign interference
Mr RICH-PHILLIPS (South Eastern Metropolitan) (12:13): My question is to the Attorney-General. ASIO in its 2022 annual threat assessment stated:
… ASIO recently detected and disrupted a foreign interference plot in the lead-up to an election in Australia.
It went on to say:
… we are seeing attempts at foreign interference at all levels of government, in all states and territories.
What steps has the Attorney-General taken to acquaint herself with this threat to Victorian government institutions?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:14): Whilst I thank Mr Rich-Phillips for his question, it is more of a collective responsibility to be briefed on such matters, because you have got digital threats, you have got threats that police would be across and you have got the foreign threats that you have identified. We have a committee of cabinet that looks at these matters, and for those reasons there is little detail that I can provide to you in relation to the briefings that we receive at that committee.
Mr RICH-PHILLIPS (South Eastern Metropolitan) (12:14): I thank the Attorney for her response. Has the Victorian government detected any foreign interference activity aimed at Victorian government entities?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:15): Mr Rich-Phillips, there is nothing that I can give specific details to, but ongoing threat monitoring is something that is always considered. I guess the more important question would be the level of risk. Obviously you might be aware of something that could happen versus something that is probable to happen, so they get risk assessments and the like. I cannot provide you with any specific details about something that has been brought to my attention that would meet the criteria that you have articulated.