For two decades the threat of terrorism has been present and we face ongoing threats of foreign interference, as well as serious and organised crime on our own shores.

Among the agencies responsible for keeping us safe from foreign and domestic threats is what is known as the “national security community”, or Australia’s spies.

But are there Australian James Bonds running operations around the world? Is there a Q-like character in a building in Canberra preventing cyber attacks? And what is the role of the growing intelligence community within state police forces?

Today on Please Explain, National Security and Foreign Affairs correspondent Anthony Galloway joins Nathanael Cooper to find out more about Aussie spooks.