Espionage and sabotage top Australian security concerns

KEY FINDINGS FROM ASIO'S 2024 ANNUAL THREAT ASSESSMENT

* Threats to the Australian way of life are the nation's principal security concern due to risks posed by espionage and foreign interference

* High-level Australian targets are contacted by spies through professional networking sites, email, social media and other messaging platforms

* Terrorism is no longer the main risk to Australian security after its threat level was lowered to "possible"

* The threat of sabotage could re-emerge in coming years as spies and terrorists target critical infrastructure networks such as water, transport and energy

* Violence in Gaza has heightened community tensions in Australia

* Lone actors remain a concern to ASIO and the threat from nationalist and racist violent extremism persists

* There is a "realistic possibility" of a terrorist attack or attack planning in the next 12 months