ASIO and AFP Investigation into reported secret China payments to ex-ADF pilots

Reports China has been secretly paying ex-Australian Defence Force pilots to steal national secrets are being investigated by the ASIO and police.

ASIO and police have launched a probe into reports China is paying former Australian Defence Force pilots six-figure salaries to steal our national security secrets.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has warned he is considering tough new laws to prohibit the practice, insisting that national security secrets “is a crime”.

But he refused to say how many Aussie pilots are involved as the investigation continues.

Speaking at a press conference in Canberra, Mr Marles said he had heard concerning reports that ex-Australian Defence Force personnel may have been approached to provide military related training to China.

“At the time, I asked my Department to urgently investigate these reports,’’ he said.

“The information provided to me so far presents enough evidence to warrant the need for a detailed examination into the adequacy of current Defence policies and procedures addressing this matter.

Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“I have therefore instructed the Department to commence that process. It’s no secret that Defence activities, people and assets are targets for Foreign Intelligence Services.

“But let me be clear: Australians who work or have worked for the government in any capacity, particularly our ADF, who come into possession of the nation’s secrets, have an obligation to maintain those secrets beyond their employment with, or their engagement with, the Commonwealth.”

Asked if he had confirmed Australians have provided this training to China Mr Marles declined to respond.

“You’ll forgive me that I’m not going to answer that question. But Defence is supporting the joint AFP-ASIO, counter-foreign interference task force, which is currently investigating a number of cases,’’ he said.

Asked how many cases were involved he again declined to respond.

“Again, I’m not going to answer that question for obvious reasons but the task force I’ve described is investigating a number of cases. What we are focused on right now is making sure that we do examine the policies and procedures that are currently in place.

“And if there are not and there are weaknesses in the system, we are committed to fixing them.”

Reports of payments from China to ex-ADF pilots are being investigated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Picture: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Last month, Mr Marles launched an investigation into “disturbing reports” that China has been hiring retired Western air force pilots to train its military.

It followed confirmation that the UK government would take “decisive steps” to stop Beijing from headhunting former pilots.

At the time, British media reported that over 30 former pilots had accepted offers upwards of £240,000 (A$428, 830) to train China’s air force.

“We are taking decisive steps to stop Chinese recruitment schemes attempting to headhunt serving and former UK Armed Forces pilots to train People’s Liberation Army personnel,” a spokesperson for the British defence ministry said.

Mr Marles stressed that obligation did not end when the employment ended.

“This is an enduring obligation and to reveal any of those secrets is a crime,’’ he said.

“It’s clear and unambiguous. We already have a range of layered policies in place to protect Defence people, information and assets from foreign collection but if there are weaknesses in our system the Albanese Government will strengthen them.

“I thank Defence for their urgent work to date on this matter. We will have more to say upon receiving the recommendations in due course.”