Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he was unaware of a meeting between Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and Australia’s domestic intelligence chief during Herzog’s visit to Canberra.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation confirmed that Herzog held discussions with its director-general, Mike Burgess, while in Australia.
Asked about the meeting during a press conference at Parliament House, Chalmers said he did not closely monitor the detailed schedule of visiting foreign leaders.
He said decisions about such engagements are handled by Australia’s national security agencies.
Chalmers added that he has confidence in the judgement of those agencies when arranging meetings connected to international visits and security matters.
The confirmation of the meeting comes after questions were raised about the interactions between visiting leaders and Australian intelligence officials.
