Coalition senator Dave Sharma calls for investigation into Iranian interference, PressTV sanction breaches

Dave Sharma has demanded Foreign Minister Penny Wong launch an investigation into potential foreign interference by Iran over the operations of a sanctioned news network in Australia.

EXCLUSIVE: Dave Sharma has demanded Foreign Minister Penny Wong launch an investigation into potential foreign interference by Iran over the operations of a sanctioned news network in Australia.

The Coalition senator has written to Minister Wong after PressTV, which is widely considered a propaganda tool of the Islamic regime, interviewed Senator Fatima Payman at an International Women’s Day event in Parramatta. The Senator has since said she was unaware PressTV was a sanctioned entity.

Senator Fatima Payman. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Mr Sharma, a former ambassador to Israel, asked the foreign minister on Wednesday to direct the Australian Sanctions Office to investigate the presence of PressTV as well as the potential enforcement of the sanctions regime.

“PressTV constitutes a tool of foreign interference of the Iranian state and is being used as such, including – as Senator Payman’s interview attests – to influence public opinion, shape perception, and exert control over the Iranian diaspora community in Australia,” he said.

“A full investigation and proper enforcement of the sanctions regime as it applies to PressTV is warranted to not only combat such attempts at foreign interference but to maintain faith in the integrity of our sanctions regime.”

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma.

Individuals found to have engaged with a sanctioned entity face 10 years imprisonment and fines of $782,500 while organisations can be fined $3.13 million. It is not known whether any potential sanction breaches are under investigation and this masthead is not suggesting any individual is under investigation.

The Albanese government imposed a sanction on PressTV in 2023 on the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, who was arrested by Iran’s morality policy for failing to wear a hijab properly.

Since then the provision of an asset, tangible or intangible, to PressTV has been prohibited unless an individual or an organisation has a permit.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government was not going to disclose whether the Australian Sanctions Office was investigating the presence of PressTV.

“Mr Dutton and the Liberals did not place one new sanction on Iran or entities linked to Iran in nine wasted years in government,” she said.

“We take sanctions compliance seriously, which is why we have strengthened the sanctions framework and are investing $26.4 million in enforcing sanctions.

“This work is under threat from Mr Dutton’s promise to slash the public service.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong. Picture: AAP

Despite the sanction, PressTV has been operating in Australia and used an interview with Senator Payman in a package that showed the WA politician saying that Iran was an “incredible place” for women.

Senator Payman said previously she was unaware of any sanction and that she had been asked by PressTV to repeat what she had heard at the event. Senator Payman has apologised for her broadcast comments.

“When a journalist from PressTV later asked about the conversations I had at the event, I made comments that reflected what women had shared with me, not my own personal opinion,” she said at the time.

“I had no knowledge of PressTV and their political affiliations.”

This masthead approached the senator for comment.

The Sydney-based freelance journalist who reported on the event for PressTV has previously told this masthead she was unaware of a sanction. She did not respond to a request for comment.

Originally published as Coalition senator Dave Sharma calls for investigation into Iranian interference, PressTV sanction breaches