Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 16 March 1949 |
| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Headquarters | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Employees | 1,812 (average staffing level 2016–17) |
| Annual budget | A$518.6 million (2016–17) |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive | |
| Parent agency | Attorney-General's Department |
| Website | www |
Coordinates: 35°17′33.6″S 149°8′40.1″E / 35.292667°S 149.144472°E
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO; /ˈeɪzɪoʊ/) is the national security service of Australia, which is responsible for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage, acts of foreign interference, politically motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, and terrorism.
ASIO is comparable with the British Security Service (MI5) and the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Generally ASIO operations requiring police powers are co-ordinated with the Australian Federal Police and/or with State and Territory police forces. ASIO officers have the right to arrest and detain.
However, under the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 passed by the Parliament of Australia, ASIO officers are exempt from prosecution for a wide range of illegal activities in the course of conducting "operations". ASIO officers may carry arms, and the Minister responsible has the ability under certain conditions to provide ability to approve the provision of any weapon or training to any specified person, even outside of ASIO officers.
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