Dastyari scandal: Security shake-up in wake of senator tipping off Chinese billionaire
NEW laws targeting Australians who provide “harmful information” to foreign powers will be introduced to Parliament this week amid concerns about Chinese influence in Canberra.
NSW
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NEW laws targeting Australians who provide “harmful information” to foreign powers will be introduced to Parliament this week amid concerns about Chinese Communist Party influence in Canberra.
The overhaul comes just days after it was revealed Labor senator Sam Dastyari tipped off a Chinese Communist Party-linked political donor that his phone was being bugged by security agencies, including the American government.
Although the security shake-up will only relate to future conduct, it will increase pressure on Mr Dastyari to reveal what he told donor Huang Xiangmo when they met at the businessman’s Sydney mansion in October last year.
The federal government would not confirm the timing of the legislation but has previously promised new espionage and foreign interference laws by the end of the year.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the long-awaited crackdown will specifically target Australians caught providing “harmful information” such as classified documents.
A senior security source said the new laws would also see criminals who support foreign intelligence agencies treated similarly to those who support terrorists, as the government looks for ways to stamp out foreign interference.
In addition to the package, the Turnbull government will outlaw foreign political donations this week.
Foreigners caught making covert attempts to interfere in Australia’s political system but fall short of espionage will also face criminal penalties.
The government is also expected to set up a register, similar to the lobbyists register and modelled on a US system, which will force individuals to declare if they are acting on behalf of a foreign power.
Last week Labor leader Bill Shorten put Mr Dastyari on notice over his relationship with Chinese Communist Party-linked donors, but said he was confident he hadn’t broken any law.
Speaking about the growing influence of China in Australian politics, Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said Australia could not afford to be naive and the government needed to act quickly.
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“We are seeing so-called Chinese businessmen making financial donations to Australian political parties of all stripes,” he told Sky News.
“I don’t think this reflects a deep commitment to the quality of Australian democracy, frankly I think this is about buying influence, or attempts to buy influence.”
The package follows a six-month review of Australia’s espionage laws.
Last month Attorney-General George Brandis said the tougher measures would counter the growing threat of foreign interference.