MEDIA RELEASE
25 June 2026
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace MP has welcomed his reappointment to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS), saying it comes at a critical time for Australia’s national security following ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess’ sobering 2026 Annual Threat Assessment.
Mr Wallace said he was honoured to once again serve on the Committee responsible for overseeing Australia’s intelligence and security agencies.
“It is a great honour to be reappointed to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, particularly at a time when Australia faces an increasingly complex and dangerous security environment,” Mr Wallace said.
“The Director-General’s Annual Threat Assessment should serve as a wake-up call for every Australian.”
Mr Wallace said Mr Burgess’ assessment painted a sobering picture of Australia’s deteriorating security environment and reinforced the need for stronger strategic leadership.
“Mr Burgess warned Australia’s security environment is now ‘dynamic, diverse and degraded’. He made clear that espionage and foreign interference are at extreme levels, politically motivated violence remains an acute concern, and nation-state actors are increasingly preparing for sabotage against Australia’s critical infrastructure.”
“His warning that Iran continues to view Australia as a legitimate target and that there is a realistic possibility of foreign-directed violence, including assassinations, occurring on Australian soil should concern every Australian.”
Mr Wallace said the assessment reinforced why the Coalition had committed to developing Australia’s first comprehensive National Security Strategy.
“The security challenges facing Australia today are fundamentally different to those of a decade ago. We need a coordinated, whole-of-government approach that brings together defence, intelligence, law enforcement, cyber security, critical infrastructure protection and foreign policy.”
“That’s why the Coalition has committed to developing Australia’s first National Security Strategy and appointing a dedicated National Security Adviser to ensure Australia’s response to emerging threats is coordinated, strategic and forward-looking.”
Mr Wallace also criticised comments made by Greens Senator David Shoebridge following the Director-General’s address.
“Mike Burgess is one of Australia’s most respected public servants and intelligence professionals. When the Director-General of ASIO delivers an assessment of this magnitude, our job as parliamentarians is to listen, take it seriously and act, not belittle the assessment or question his motives.”
“For Senator Shoebridge to dismiss the Director-General’s Annual Threat Assessment as little more than, in his words ‘feeding the chooks’ is reckless and disrespectful to the men and women of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies who work day and night to keep Australians safe.”
“The Greens have once again demonstrated they simply do not understand the seriousness of the national security threats confronting Australia. Australians deserve political leaders who back our intelligence agencies, not undermine them.”
Mr Wallace said Australia could not afford complacency.
“National security cannot be an afterthought. It must remain one of the Government’s highest priorities.”
[ENDS]
Media Contact: Brendan West – 0402 556 646 – Brendan.west@aph.gov.au