In the US, investigators are probing the alleged Russian influence in the 2017 presidential elections. And in another corner of the world, a nation is alleging that China is trying to influence its political processes
Broadening espionage laws
Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull announced a host of new initiatives Tuesday, including broadening espionage laws and a ban on foreign donations to political parties. That came after Turnbull ordered an inquiry in June in the wake of media revelations that its spy agency warned about donations from two billionaires with links to Chinese Communists
Australian Labor MP, Sam Dastyari, was forced to resign as deputy opposition whip after reports that he told a Chinese businessman his phone was likely being tapped by spy agencies, according to AFP
Foreign donations to political parties
Australian intelligence agencies had major concerns that China was using the political donations system to gain access to institutions. Australia is among roughly a third of countries worldwide that allow foreign donations to political parties. Such donations are prohibited in the US, Britain and several European countries, according to Reuters. In 2016, the Indian government opened up a way for foreign companies to fund political parties by amending the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010
‘So-called Chinese infiltration’
There have also been mounting concerns within Australian universities about Beijing’s use of nationalist student groups to monitor Chinese students and challenge academics whose views do not align with Communist Party doctrine