Former CIA officer and intelligence whistleblower John Kiriakou has issued a stark warning over proposed changes to Australia’s ASIO legislation, describing the bill as “a police state in the making.”
Kiriakou, who served as a CIA counterterrorism officer for 14 years before exposing the agency’s illegal torture program following the September 11 attacks, made the comments during an interview with Turning Point Australia host Joel Jammal.
The proposed ASIO Amendment Bill, which is expected to come before the Australian Senate this month, would significantly expand the powers of intelligence agencies. Critics say the legislation would allow authorities to detain and question people who have not been charged with a crime, including minors, restrict access to legal representation during questioning, question family members, and impose gag orders preventing those targeted from speaking publicly about the process.
Drawing comparisons to Section 702 of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Kiriakou warned that intelligence powers introduced under the banner of national security are often turned against political dissenters and ordinary citizens.
“You’ve not even been accused of a crime at this point,” Kiriakou said.
“They just say, ‘I don’t like his politics. I’m going to start listening to his phones. I’m going to start reading his emails. I’m going to discreetly question his friends and try to build a case against him.’ And nobody knows that this is happening.”
Kiriakou also raised concerns about the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, warning that member nations have historically used partner agencies to bypass domestic spying restrictions.
“It’s illegal for the CIA to spy on Americans – always has been,” he said.
“No problem. You just ask ASIO or MI6 to spy on Americans. Then the Brits ask us to spy on Brits. The law is a joke. Why even have the law if you don’t have any intention of respecting it?”
Joel Jammal rejected the Federal Government’s justification for the proposed amendments, arguing that recent tragedies should not be used to expand state surveillance powers.
“The Bondi massacre was a failure in our police and intelligence agencies, not a failure in our laws,” Jammal said.
Turning Point Australia has launched a national campaign urging Australians to contact their Senators and oppose the legislation.
Australians can learn more and take action at “Stop the ASIO Amendment Bill 2026.”
