Australia’s foreign interference laws are flawed, their scope too wide, and this is hurting relations with China and other countries, according to a report by think tank China Matters, which calls for a review of counter-espionage measures.

The report, released on Wednesday, argues the changes introduced under the Turnbull and Morrison governments had not resulted in any high-profile prosecutions. However, the cost was high as they still threatened Australia’s democracy and civil liberties while trashing international relations.