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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2019/nov/25/australia-china-morrison-liberal-politics-live
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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 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 | 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 |
| A decision is expected in the defamation case Sarah Hanson-Young brought against former senator David Leyonhjelm this afternoon (around 3.30pm) | |
| Rex Patrick, talking to Sky News, had a little to say about Jacqui Lambie’s position on the medevac bill. | |
| Centre Alliance have a loose coalition with Lambie, where they share information on bills they agree on (and then go their separate way on bills they don’t) | |
| The bells are ringing - Jim Molan will be back in the Senate in a matter of minutes. | |
| Mathias Cormann was back on Sky just a few minutes ago, talking about balancing Australia’s relationship with China: | |
| Rex Patrick is on Sky News talking about Gladys Liu. He makes it clear he is not making any allegations, but says he wants to know if the Chisholm MP has received funds from any Chinese organisations which are linked to the CCP. | |
| Tim Wilson was out and about early this morning getting ahead of any Liu mention: | |
| “Obviously we are talking about the same electorate. But if anybody has any evidence to bring forward then they should do so. Otherwise to draw this specious allegation is actually outrageous frankly just simply because of someone’s ethnic heritage.” | |
| Jacqui Lambie was grabbed at the Canberra airport as she arrived in the capital last night, and asked about her plans for medevac. | |
| She still hasn’t given any indication of where she is going, but she did say this (as reported by AAP): | |
| Centre Alliance MP Rex Patrick has been running a bit of a crusade to have Australian politicians go through a security check before they are allowed to sit for parliament. His argument is that staffers and public servants have to go through checks before they are allowed to take up their jobs, but our MPs, who have access to a lot more information and well, access, do not. | |
| That’s a lot to do with democracy - the Australian people elect people, so the only people who can remove them are either the Australian people, or the high court, if a MP falls foul of the constitution. | |
| A group of climate protesters have gathered outside Parliament House this morning. | |
| Adam Bandt addressed the rally: | |
| For what it is worth, Jeremy Clarkson, who has spent the best part of 30 years calling climate change a load of hooey, has recently come round – after he was forced to basically wade through part of the Mekong. | |
| 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. | 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: | 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. | 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 that 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): | 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. | 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: | On medevac, Albanese questioned whether anything the government claimed would happen, did: |
| Jacqui Lambie is the swing vote there. | 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). | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | Simon Birmingham was asked about that on ABC breakfast TV this morning as well: |
| OK, but really? | 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 after 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.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. Here’s what he had to tell the ABC: | Simon Birmingham was sent out by the Coalition to talk about it this morning. Here’s 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 nowhere 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. | 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. |
| He had this to say about the allegations: | He had this to say about the allegations: |
| 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 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 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. | 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 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. | 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. |