Security and defence

Australia's intelligence agencies

A convincing majority of Australians (80%) agree that Australia’s intelligence agencies are effective at protecting Australia’s national security. In recent years, intelligence agencies have taken some steps towards improving transparency. The Independent National Security Monitor wrote in a recent annual report that ‘unnecessary secrecy can be seriously counter-productive’. In 2020, the majority (59%) say that Australia’s intelligence agencies ‘have got the balance right between protecting national security and also being appropriately transparent with the Australian people about their activities’. A solid majority (59%) also believe the Australian government ‘has got the balance right between the need for press freedom and the need to enforce the law and protect national security’, despite the highly-publicised raids in mid-2019 on journalists and their sources that kindled debate about press freedom in Australia.

Security and defence
Australia's intelligence agencies

Question

Now about Australia’s intelligence activities and national security. For each of the statements below, please indicate whether you agree or disagree:

This question was asked in 2020.

Australia's intelligence agencies are effective at protecting Australia's national security

Australia's intelligence agencies have got the balance right between protecting national security and being transparent about their activities

The Australian government has got the balance right between the need for press freedom and protecting national security

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