The Bush administration has expelled 50 alleged Russian spies from Washington following Mr Hanssen's arrest. Because of Australia's close intelligence links with the US, there is concern Mr Hanssen may also have passed on secrets relating to the structure and operation of Australia's intelligence network. It is a figment of people's imaginations that with the end of the Cold War spies packed up their bongos and went home. They never did and they were never going to. It is highly unusual for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation to admit it is conducting a damage assessment within the intelligence community.
Assessments usually remain top secret, as do their findings.
As part of the funding boost, ASIO will trial the use of lie detectors for the first time in Australia to see if they are reliable enough to use as a security tool. Jean-Philippe Wispelaere on espionage charges. As well as longer jail terms for convicted spies, cabinet is expected to approve tighter bail restrictions and tougher limits on providing juries with access to classified documents during espionage cases. If approved by cabinet, the changes would lift the maximum penalty for espionage in Australia from seven years' jail to more than 14 years. Britain, Canada and New Zealand have a maximum penalty of 14 years.