By Richard Stone The dividing line between legitimate intelligence-gathering and the accumulation of vast troves of personal data accessed through questionable means has always been blurred. The problem now, however, is set to escalate, if recently announced plans are ever implemented: western intelligence services, and their associates, will be able to operate in a totally non-regulated and unaccountable manner. Further …

By Richard Stone The official medal to a top US spook in Canberra has provided little room for ambiguity when assessing the close working relationship between the Australian and US intelligence services. They are closely linked. Australia has, therefore, been drawn ever closer to the US through diplomatic agreements, and continues to host their sensitive military and intelligence facilities. The …

by Richard Stone The recent visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. to Australia for high-level diplomatic talks marks a return to the days of the previous Cold War now being played-out with the present one against China. Taking place on the eve of the ASEAN Summit in Melbourne, the Marcos address to parliamentarians in Canberra was designed to act …