NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane to return to parliament amid national security investigation

Shaoquett Moselmane stepped aside from parliament after an unprecedented raid by AFP, and inquiries made by ASIO.

NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane. Picture: Justin Lloyd

A Labor backbencher whose home and parliamentary office were raided as part of a national security investigation has indicated he will return to parliament from next week, claiming he is not suspected of any wrongdoing.

Upper house MLC Shaoquett Moselmane stepped aside from parliament in June following an unprecedented raid by Australian Federal Police and inquiries made by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

His membership with the Australian Labor Party was also suspended.

The investigation remains ongoing and the subject of High Court of Australia proceedings. While officials never publicly confirmed the focal point of the investigation, it is understood to relate to the possible infiltration of the NSW Parliament by Chinese Communist Party agents through the office of Mr Moselmane.

Also raided was Mr Moselmane’s part-time staffer, John Zhang, considered to be a person of interest to the case. Mr Zhang has commenced proceedings challenging the execution of the warrants in the High Court.

Former part-time Labor staffer John Zhang.

Neither Mr Moselmane nor Mr Zhang have been charged with any offences.

In a letter sent to Upper House President John Ajaka, and read out to parliament on Thursday, Mr Moselmane said Mr Zhang had resigned from his position as a part-time staffer in mid-September. The letter was sent with the words ‘Australian Labor Party’ printed on the letterhead.

“In my assessment of the situation I’m of the opinion that the investigation concerning the execution of the search warrants has come to an end, and accordingly the investigation having been concluded ... allows me to return,” Mr Moselmane wrote.

“Mr Zhang is no longer in my employment and has voluntarily resigned from his position effective 16th of September, 2020.”

Mr Moselmane cited news reports and remarks made by an AFP agent on the morning of the raid to claim that he was not a suspect in the investigation.

“I trust that by giving you this letter I am providing you with sufficient notice of my intention to return and I and my staff will resume in attendance in the House on and from 22 October 2020.”

The investigation, one of the first to result in a raid after the Turnbull government passed tough new national security and espionage laws in 2018, is being pursued by a special taskforce into foreign influence established by Scott Morrison last year.

The prime minister said of the investigation as it was made public: “We won’t cop anyone coming and seeking to interfere in our political system. We will stand up to it and we will take action.”