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**National intelligence review highlights mutual dependence of intelligence agencies and researchers**
Australia’s intelligence agencies have better links with research institutions than seven years ago, but more still needs to be done, a national review has found.
The government-commissioned review of intelligence arrangements, handed to the government last year, also said the security of the research sector itself has “long-term implications for the nation’s interests”.
The country’s nuclear-powered submarine programme could be a target for espionage, and “protecting military and critical technology and intellectual property is an essential national security priority”, the government was told.
The review noted that some research institutions said they wanted “more support to respond to cyber and foreign interference threats”, while others faced barriers to research caused by intelligence rules.
**Intelligence community**
“Government research and university partners confront cyberattacks, foreign interference and espionage targeting sovereign research. Research entities and universities use intelligence from the National Intelligence Community to inform policies on international engagement and collaboration, improve situational awareness and mitigate threats,” the review said. The NIC is a formal group of 10 intelligence agencies.
“The research sector also possesses data and expertise that is beneficial to the NIC. This includes information related to cyber and foreign interference incidents detected on their networks and premises. Collaboration with the research sector can assist agencies to solve hard problems and innovate.”
Examples include partnerships formed between the Australian Signals Directorate and the federal police with universities “to collaborate on priority issues”, as well as direct intelligence funding of security-related research.
The report mentioned the possibility of creating a “due diligence centre” to help researchers navigate security issues, similar to Canada’s Research Security Centre. It said the existing University Foreign Interference Taskforce should be supported, but “more proactive and regular outreach and, where relevant, consultation between agencies and the research sector could improve engagement on this issue and invite greater information sharing”.
“There is scope to give more substance to the NIC’s partnerships with the private sector and research institutions,” the review concluded.
**Extra funding**
The review was led by national security expert Richard Maude and Australian National University security professor Heather Smith. It was completed in late 2024, and a declassified version was released by the government this month.
The government said it would provide a further A$44.6 million over four years to help implement the report’s priorities via the Office of National Intelligence.
“Since coming to government in May 2022, we have increased national security funding over the forward estimates by A$53 billion,” a statement said.