Australian Secret Intelligence Service

The Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS /ˈsɪs/) is the foreign intelligence agency of Australia, tasked with the covert collection of information overseas through personal contacts and other means of human intelligence. It is part of the Australian Intelligence Community and is also responsible for counter-intelligence and liaising with the intelligence agencies of other countries such as the NZSIS. ASIS was formed in 1952 but its existence remained secret within much of the government until 1972. ASIS is comparable to the American CIA and the British MI6 (formally known as the Secret Intelligence Service).

Australian Secret Intelligence Service
Intelligence agency overview
Formed13 May 1952 (13 May 1952)
TypeIntelligence agency
JurisdictionAustralian Government
HeadquartersRG Casey Building, Barton, Australian Capital Territory
Annual budgetA$605.1 million (US$454.96 million) (2022–23)
Minister responsible
  • Penny Wong
Assistant Minister responsible
  • Tim Watts
Intelligence agency executives
Parent departmentDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Key documents
Websitewww.asis.gov.au

ASIS is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) portfolio and has its headquarters in Canberra. Its director-general, currently Kerri Hartland, reports to the minister for foreign affairs.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.