News Bulletin: Australia's chief national security agency warns of a worsening espionage threat

Australia's chief national security agency is warning parliament the threat of espionage is worse now than it was during the Cold War.

Federal police patrol Melbourne Airport in M Source: AAP

A Senate committee is continuing to examine proposed new laws aimed at cracking down on espionage and unwanted foreign influence.

The new laws have drawn opposition from varying quarters.

But the deputy Director-General of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Peter Vickery, says Australia is under the biggest threat of espionage, ever.