University lobbies assure the inquiry into foreign interference on campus that the means to deal with such are in-place (CMM yesterday). However, ASIO says “there is scope to further assist the HE and research sector.”

The domestic intel agency’s submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security warns it is;

* aware of researchers and their families who have been threatened, coerced or intimidated by actors seeking to have their sensitive research provided to a foreign state

* aware that some universities have been threatened through financial coercion should critical research continue

* aware of instances where academics have self-censored their course material in order to avoid adverse outcomes such as cuts to foreign funding or threats from individuals who may be linked to a foreign government

* aware of attempts to steal sensitive Australian intellectual property.

Undoubtedly ASIO has further and better particulars which it will share with the committee, but perhaps not in open hearings.