Additional Charges Filed Against Two Chinese Nationals for Alleged Foreign Interference

Two individuals have been charged with reckless foreign interference and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

They represent the fourth and fifth individuals to be charged under the foreign interference laws enacted in 2018.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt of the AFP’s Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations division emphasized that Australia remains vulnerable to foreign interference. He noted that these arrests are unlikely to halt further attempts by foreign entities to influence diaspora communities.

“The AFP cannot be everywhere at all times, and we rely on information from the public to enhance our intelligence gathering and investigative efforts,” Nutt explained.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess highlighted that foreign interference continues to be one of the most significant security threats facing the nation.

“A complex, challenging and changing security environment is becoming more dynamic, diverse and degraded,” he said.

“Multiple foreign regimes are monitoring, harassing and intimidating members of our diaspora communities.

“This sort of behaviour is utterly unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.”

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