Modern cars made in most countries have remote control and online data features. What matters is who can access that data – and the vehicle itself.

The couple are the first to be charged under Australia’s new espionage act, which was revamped in 2018.

Framing the Petrov affair as a thrilling spy drama may have helped Australians manage their anxiety about the threat posed by Soviet espionage.

Australia’s allies are serious about the risk of research espionage - and one way or another, we need to catch up.

The Security Intelligence Service needs public support and trust to do its work well. Adding a degree of transparency to it’s annual threat assessment should help.