It should come as no surprise ASIO revealed last week it had uncovered a “sleeper agent” running a spy ring.

Director-general Mike Burgess revealed the “sleeper” had been providing logistical and financial support for foreign agents engaged in intelligence-gathering missions and harassing dissidents in Australia.

Countering terrorism was ASIO’s number one mission.

Sleepers are far from the fictional representation of spies such as James Bond, licenced to kill while pursuing hedonistic pleasures.

Sleepers require patience and longevity as they work to infiltrate their target – sometimes at the highest level – and developing a network of trusted agents.

Burgess did not reveal the sleeper’s identity...