Chinese national charged over 'intelligence gathering'

Perth Now

2 days ago

A Chinese national is accused of reckless foreign interference over alleged covert intelligence gathering on behalf of China's main police agency.
The woman was arrested during searches of Canberra homes and appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with one count of reckless foreign interference, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
It was the first time Australian Federal Police had charged a person with foreign interference that allegedly involved targeting members of the Australian community, AFP assistant commissioner Stephen Nutt said.
"Foreign interference is a serious crime that undermines democracy and social cohesion," he said.
The AFP alleges the woman, who is also an Australian permanent resident, was tasked by China's Public Security Bureau to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch of the Guan Yin Sita, a Buddhist Association.
The woman was arrested during searches on Saturday and electronic devices seized are being forensically examined.
The woman, whose name was suppressed in court, was allegedly engaged in activities that supported the intelligence objectives of China's Public Security Bureau.
The counter foreign interference task force had launched Operation Autumn Shield in March after receiving information from ASIO, Mr Nutt said.
"(Foreign interference) is a crime carried out by or behalf of a foreign principal that involves covert and deceptive conduct or threats of serious harm or menacing demands," he said.
Australia was "not immune to foreign interference, and we should not expect that this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities".
"At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia," he said.
Police needed "all Australians to be our eyes and ears" and alert authorities if they saw people being targeted.
"We will continue to educate, educate the community about what foreign interference is, how communities can protect themselves, and importantly, encourage the public to contact authorities if they believe they are being targeted by those working for foreign principals," Mr Nutt said.
ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said the alleged crime was "an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty".
"In this year's annual threat assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, 'we are watching, and we have zero tolerance'," he said.
"Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve."
A fact sheet 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 individuals can do if they believe they are being threatened or intimidated by foreign governments.
It is the third time a foreign interference offence has been laid in Australia since new laws were introduced by the federal government in 2018.
A Victorian man was charged in November 2020, while a NSW man was charged in April 2023.