ABSTRACT

This book traces the history of Australia's highly secret Intelligence Security Organisation. Established in the early days of the Cold War, like most intelligence organisations working under covert conditions, it exceeded the vague powers entrusted to it. It has been the subject of two Royal Commissions in Australia and in recent times several acts of Parliament have been passed in order to make it more accountable to Australia's government and its citizens.

chapter 1|21 pages

Origins of ASIO

chapter 2|17 pages

The Background to Establishing ASIO

chapter 3|26 pages

Embargoes, Espionage and ASIO

chapter 4|23 pages

The Acceptance of ASIO in the USA

chapter 5|29 pages

Anti-Communism and ASIO

chapter 6|30 pages

ASIO and the Road to the Petrov Affair

chapter 7|22 pages

ASIO and the Petrov Defection

chapter 8|28 pages

ASIO and the Royal Commission on Espionage

chapter 9|26 pages

ASIO in the 1960s and 1970s

chapter 10|29 pages

ASIO in the 1980s

chapter 11|32 pages

ASIO and Accountability