Australia’s spy chief has warned in a rare televised interview against politicizing intelligence advice as the election looms, saying unsuccessful attempts by foreign governments to interfere have targeted both sides of the political spectrum.
The comments from Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess came after Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday accused Labor’s opposition parliamentary deputy leader of being Beijing’s “Manchurian candidate” before withdrawing the insult.
Morrison and his ministers have launched a sustained political attack on Labour ahead of the election expected in May, accusing the party of placating China and saying Beijing has “chosen its horse” and that it is Labour leader Anthony Albanese.
Burgess told the ABC on Wednesday night that the agency was apolitical and that politicizing its investigation into foreign interference “does us no good”.
“Foreign interference is against all MPs, so it’s not about one side or the other,” he said.
Burgess’ remarks were backed by his predecessor, Dennis Richardson, on Thursday morning, who said in a TV interview that the government’s electoral strategy was only in China’s interests.
He said there was no difference between Labour and the government on China policy.
“It’s not in the national interest to try to create a sense of difference in practice that we haven’t seen from the Australian government in decades,” he told ABC television.
“Indeed, it only serves the interests of one country, and that is China.” Burgess did not name foreign governments that seek to influence what he called “utterly unruly” politicians.
“We don’t think foreign governments will actually change our election results,” he added.
Court documents and party statements show that since the last federal election, at least two foreign interference investigations by ASIO and federal police have been linked to China and have touched two major political parties.
In 2020, police raided the home of a NSW Labor politician to investigate his colleague’s alleged links to the Chinese government. No charges have been brought.
Victorian man and former Liberal candidate Di Sanh Duong became the first person in late 2020 to be charged with preparing for foreign interference under laws introduced two years ago. His case is due to go to trial at the end of May.
The Victorian Liberal Party confirmed to Reuters that Duong had resigned as a party member in 2020 after the allegations became public.
Complete News Source : NDTV
