Foreign interference case of Melbourne man first of its kind in Australia
A Melbourne man accused of foreign interference will face a hearing next year, with his lawyer describing it as a ‘novel’ case.
A Melbourne man is the first person charged under foreign interference laws, with his lawyer describing it as a “novel” case.
Di Sanh “Sunny” Duong appeared via videolink in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday for a brief administrative hearing.
The 66-year-old is charged with preparing an act of foreign interference, and his lawyer Charles Morgan told the court it was the first time it had been litigated in Australia.
“It’s a novel offence that hasn’t been litigated yet,” Mr Morgan said.
He was questioned by magistrate Susan Wakeling if it was the first in Australia.
“That’s right,” he told the court.
The case would go to a contested committal hearing, with “each element” of the charge in issue, Mr Morgan said.
Commonwealth prosecutor Christopher Tran said there was “sensitivity” about some of the materials in the case.
Mr Duong is accused of the conduct between March 22, 2020 and June 2, 2020, charge sheets show.
However, no details of the allegations have been aired in court.
A committal hearing to determine if there’s enough evidence for a trial will be held in March next year and is expected to last for three days.
Ms Wakeling ordered the defence to outline the “identification of issues” for cross-examination of the lead investigator.
The laws target foreign interference in Australia’s political processes and include offences for theft of trade secrets on behalf of a foreign government.