The Australian’s Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan says it is “grotesque” that the heads of ASIO and ASIS were expelled from the National Security Committee despite heightened global tensions.

His comments follow ASIO Director General Mike Burgess warning Australia may face another terrorist attack within the country in the next 12 months.

“This is grotesque that you would expel the head of ASIO and the head of ASIS from the National Security Committee at a time like this,” Mr Sheridan told Sky News Australia host Peta Credlin.

“Of course, they’ll be there when terrorism is formally considered, but it’s up to the authorities to raise the threat level.

“American intelligence warned the Russians of an imminent attack, the French believe an attack is imminent, Afghanistan is now a permissive environment for terrorism, we know Islamic State is reviving there.”