Two Chinese nationals arrested for spying on Canberra Buddhists have sparked warnings from federal police and intelligence agencies.
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said foreign interference remains a major security concern for Australia.
“A complex, challenging and changing security environment is becoming more dynamic, diverse and degraded,” he says.
“Multiple foreign regimes are monitoring, harassing and intimidating members of our diaspora communities. This sort of behaviour is utterly unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.”
CHINESE NATIONALS FACE COURT
The warning follows the appearance of two Chinese nationals in ACT Magistrates Court yesterday (February 11) for spying on a Canberra Buddhist group.
The Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce (CFITF) charged a man, 25, and woman, 31, with one count each of reckless foreign interference; the offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years jail.
The AFP is part of the taskforce and was alerted last March by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) which sparked raids in the ACT last July and the arrest of a female Chinese national in August.
The AFP claim the pair worked with the woman charged last August under the direction of the Chinese Public Security Bureau to spy on the Canberra branch of Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist association.
Five people have now been arrested and charged with foreign interference offences since new laws were introduced in 2018.
AFP CONCERNS
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt says foreign interference is a serious crime.
“Australia is not immune to foreign interference. We should not expect this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities,” he says.
He also says the public has a role to play.
“It is important to note, one of the best defences to foreign interference is increased community awareness of the threat and reporting of suspicious activity to authorities.”
Asst-Commissioner Nutt says the multicultural community are more likely to be victims of foreign interference than to be offenders.
“The AFP cannot be everywhere at all times. We rely on information from the public to supplement our own intelligence gathering and investigative efforts.
“Anyone with information on individuals or groups suspected of committing foreign interference should contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.”
WHAT TO DO
A factsheet on foreign interference is available in more than 40 languages on the AFP website.
It explains what foreign interference is, how it manifests and what a person can do if they believe they are being threatened or intimidated by foreign governments.
Anyone who feels threatened should contact their local police on 131 444 or, in an emergency or life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Individuals or community groups who feel they are the target of foreign interference are encouraged to contact the hotline (1800 123 400).
