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Alleged Chinese spy plot to install Liberal MP investigated by Asio – politics live Alleged Chinese spy plot to install Liberal MP investigated by Asio – politics live
(32 minutes later)
Australia’s spy boss confirms Asio is ‘actively investigating’ an alleged plot to install a Chinese spy as an MP in a Melbourne seat . All the day’s events, live Australia’s spy boss confirms agency is ‘actively investigating’ an alleged plot to install a Chinese spy as an MP in a Melbourne seat. All the day’s events, live
While we are talking about an alleged Chinese plot to infiltrate the Australian parliament, there was an interesting story in the weekend Fin about Australia attempting to address China’s soft power in the region.
From the Tom McIlroy report:
There has been a lot of criticism and warnings about what the cut in Australia’s aid would mean long term for the Pacific region, in terms of China increasing its influence. It looks like the Morrison government is now working to address at least part of the issue. But without a lot of fanfare.
Jim Chalmers also had a bit to say about the ensuring integrity bill this morning - given the Westpac drama is still playing out.
Mathias Cormann was on Sky News this morning and said it may be a little too early for the Australian government to be raising the Chinese spy plot claims with Beijing (although, of course that is happening):
Anthony Albanese stopped by the doors this morning. He wasn’t talking doors – instead he focused on the two bills the government hopes to pass this fortnight.
On medevac, Albanese questioned whether anything the government claimed would happen, did:
Jacqui Lambie is the swing vote there.
And on ensuring integrity, Albanese says Labor is still working on making sure it doesn’t pass (that’s up to One Nation at this stage).
We’ve just had to close comments for a little bit, as we wait for the moderator changeover.
Of course, the big concern for how the government deals with its relationship with Beijing, comes down to trade. The Fin reported last month that was now worth $117bn.
But the weekend’s allegations are going to throw a spanner in the works. We have seen it before, with thermal coal and wine – and we are likely to see it again. Australian coal has been delayed in Chinese ports, while Russia and Indonesia seem to have no problems getting their exports through.
Simon Birmingham was asked about that on ABC breakfast TV this morning as well:
OK, but really?
On the domestic front, there is also a little bit on.On the domestic front, there is also a little bit on.
The government is hoping to get medevac repealed and also get One Nation across the line for its ‘ensuring integrity’ bill, which would put in place mechanisms to be able to de-register unions and union officials. Stay tuned on that one. The government is hoping to get medevac repealed and also get One Nation across the line for its “ensuring integrity” bill, which would put in place mechanisms to be able to de-register unions and union officials. Stay tuned on that one.
But Labor is also looking to continue its prosecution of Angus Taylor following the Guardian’s reporting on what has become known as the ‘doctored documents’ saga. But Labor is also looking to continue its prosecution of Angus Taylor after the Guardian’s reporting on what has become known as the “doctored documents” saga.
You can read about that here You can read about that here.
There is of course, the Grasslands issue as well. If you are interested in that, or just want a better understanding, I recommend this podcast There is of course, the Grasslands issue as well.I recommend this podcast.
Simon Birmingham was sent out by the Coalition to talk about it this morning. Simon Birmingham was sent out by the Coalition to talk about it this morning. Here’s what he had to tell the ABC:
Here is what he had to tell the ABC: Birmingham was the Coalition’s main spokesman during the election campaign, and he has never really been able to relinquish that role. Under Malcolm Turnbull, the job belonged to Mathias Cormann. The finance minister does still get out and about a bit – but nowhere near as much as he used to.
Birmingham was the Coalition’s main spokesman during the election campaign, and he has never really been able to relinquish that role. Under Malcolm Turnbull, the job belonged to Mathias Cormann. The finance minister does still get out and about a bit – but no where near as much as he used to. The Liberal MP who heads parliament’s intelligence and security committee, Andrew Hastie, was featured on the 60 Minutes program last night. He has previously warned of Chinese interference, and has been public about it.
Liberal MP and head of parliament’s intelligence and security committee, Andrew Hastie was featured on the 60 Minutes program last night.
He has previously warned of Chinese interference, and has been very public about it.
He had this to say about the allegations:He had this to say about the allegations:
[It is] like something out of a spy novel happening in Melbourne with impunity and very, very concerning. Hastie was part of an Australian delegation which was meant to travel to China – it was cancelled before they even got to the airport. His stance on this issue has previously caused splits within the Liberal party room, with Mathias Cormann having chastened him, but I would think that today Hastie will have a few knowing looks to throw Cormann’s way.
Hastie was part of an Australian delegation which was meant to travel to China – it was cancelled before they even got to the airport. His stance on this issue has previously caused splits within the Liberal party room, with Mathias Cormann previously having chastened him, but I would think that today, Hastie will have a few knowing looks to throw Cormann’s way.
Honestly, it is all anyone wants to talk about today, and understandably. Richard Marles says Labor has requested a briefing on the allegations:Honestly, it is all anyone wants to talk about today, and understandably. Richard Marles says Labor has requested a briefing on the allegations:
Well. That was quite the weekend wasn’t it?! Well. That was quite the weekend, wasn’t it?!
It is not hyperbole to say that those within Parliament House have been pretty well rocked by confirmation Australia’s spy agency is “actively investigating” claims China attempted to install a spy into the parliament.It is not hyperbole to say that those within Parliament House have been pretty well rocked by confirmation Australia’s spy agency is “actively investigating” claims China attempted to install a spy into the parliament.
The director general of security casually dropped this tweet late last night:The director general of security casually dropped this tweet late last night:
And what did that statement say?And what did that statement say?
That is quite extraordinary. Not only did Asio feel the need to issue a statement on the Nine story, it also confirmed it has been aware of it, and is investigating it. For Australia’s notoriously secretive security agency, that is quite the step.That is quite extraordinary. Not only did Asio feel the need to issue a statement on the Nine story, it also confirmed it has been aware of it, and is investigating it. For Australia’s notoriously secretive security agency, that is quite the step.
It all relates to this story from Nine newspapers and 60 Minutes:It all relates to this story from Nine newspapers and 60 Minutes:
Zhao was found dead in a Mount Waverley motel room in March. Local police have not been able to conclude how he died, making his death the subject of a coronial investigation.Zhao was found dead in a Mount Waverley motel room in March. Local police have not been able to conclude how he died, making his death the subject of a coronial investigation.
Of course, that story came on top of the news a man, who says he worked for Chinese intelligence, has defected to Australia. Wang Liqiang has applied for asylum in Australia, after he admitted he had been personally involved with Chinese espionage activities, including political interference operations within the region. Beijing has denied his claims, and claim he is a convicted fraudster. Our agencies are taking him very seriously. Of course, that story came on top of the news that a man, who says he worked for Chinese intelligence, has defected to Australia. Wang Liqiang has applied for asylum in Australia after he admitted he had been personally involved with Chinese espionage activities, including political interference operations within the region. Beijing has denied his claims, and says he is a convicted fraudster. Our agencies are taking him seriously.
And with that backdrop, we start the final two weeks of parliament. Mike Bowers is already out and about, and you’ll have the full Canberra contingent along for the ride as well. Plus the rest of the Guardian brainstrust. There is not enough coffee in the world for me today, but you know, small potatoes. And with that backdrop, we start the final two weeks of parliament. Mike Bowers is out and about, and you’ll have the full Canberra contingent along for the ride as well. Plus the rest of the Guardian brains trust. There is not enough coffee in the world for me today, but you know, small potatoes.
Ready?Ready?
Let’s get into it.Let’s get into it.