CANBERRA, Oct. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Sunday announced that the staff number of the country's top spy agency will double in five years.

    Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio quoted Howard as saying that the threat of homegrown terrorism is a significant factor behind the government's decision to increase the number of staff of Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) from980 to 1986 by the year 2010.

    Howard said the decision stems from recommendations of a review of ASIO's resources by former Director General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service Alan Taylor.

    "The best weapon in the fight against terrorism is good intelligence," Howard told reporters in Sydney, Australia's largest city.

    Meanwhile, Howard said the recruitment and training of the extra spy officers would involve a massive increase in ASIO's budget that would be fully detailed at the next budget.

    The announcement came a day ahead of the start of Australia's largest counter-terrorism exercise, "Mercury 05," which will involve 4,000 people. Enditem