Jubilee Post News & Views
Special Desk
An Australian lawmaker might be suspended from party following reports that his office is facing investigation by national security agencies over alleged links to China.
Authorities have raided the home and office of Shaoquett Moselmane, a New South Wales state politician. Police and intelligence agencies said it involved an ongoing investigation. Moselmane, from the opposition Labor Party, is yet to comment on this development.
His leader, Jodi McKay, said media reports that the raids involved possible allegations of Chinese government interference within Moselmane’s office were concerning. “This investigation needs to run its course. He will not sit in our caucus,” she told media.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he could not go into the details of the investigation but it had been going on for some time. “The government is absolutely determined to ensure that nobody interferes with Australia’s activities,” he said.
Earlier, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed the raids in Sydney. “This activity does not relate to any specific threat to the community,” Asio said, adding it would not comment further.
Relations between Canberra and Beijing have been particularly fraught since Australia called for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. China has placed economic sanctions on Australia in recent weeks.
Australia passed sweeping new security and counter-espionage laws in 2018 aimed at preventing foreign interference in politics and other domestic affairs. The package included a ban on foreign political donations, as a well as requirements to register foreign lobbyists on a register.
From the history, in 2017, an Australian senator was forced to resign following scrutiny over his dealings with a Chinese businessman.
