Former ASIO Agent Cleared to Testify Publicly in Bondi Royal Commission

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced that a former ASIO agent, referred to as Marcus, can present his testimony publicly during the Bondi royal commission. This development arises as Marcus, who has been living abroad, seeks to return to Australia to share critical insights about the Bondi gunmen involved in a December terror attack.

Burke confirmed that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has deemed Marcus's evidence to be declassified, allowing it to be delivered in open hearings—potentially even remotely via platforms like Microsoft Teams. This represents a significant shift, as it implies Marcus doesn't need a visa to testify, alleviating previous concerns surrounding his immigration status.

Marcus has spent years infiltrating extremist groups in western Sydney and claims to have warned ASIO about the Akram brothers, the perpetrators of the Bondi attack, long before it occurred. Previously, he had sought a visa to testify in Australia, citing the sensitivity of his information and the legal protections afforded to him on Australian soil. His initial visa request was denied due to concerns over his intentions to leave the country, and his second application is still under review.

According to Burke, the royal commission is eager to hear from Marcus and has already initiated contact. However, advocates for Marcus, including Gabriel Shipton from the Information Rights Project, argue that his safety while living overseas is at risk. They stress that the protections provided by the royal commission do not extend outside Australia, leaving Marcus vulnerable to potential threats.

Shipton criticized the government for not taking Marcus's safety seriously, stating, "The government has left it up to Information Rights to keep one of its ex-employees safe after years of undercover service." Despite ASIO's negative characterizations of Marcus as "disgruntled and unreliable," he remains committed to sharing his account of events, which he believes contradicts the narrative presented by the agency.

Source: www.abc.net.au