China 'hacked Australian spy base'

Chinese hackers did steal the blueprints of a new Australian spy agency headquarters, a politician has confirmed following media reports.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation television reported on Monday that the plans for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) building, which is nearing completion, had been stolen through a cyber-attack on a building contractor.

The government has refused to discuss the detail of the allegation, although Prime Minister Julia Gillard told Parliament yesterday that the ABC report was “inaccurate”.

But senior opposition politician George Brandis said today following a confidential briefing with ASIO officials that the report was accurate.

The Australian newspaper reported that the plans were stolen three years ago and no longer pose a threat to the operations of Australia’s main spy agency.