Many people in Canning have expressed concerns about foreign interference and ownership in Australia. As the Chair of Parliament’s Joint Intelligence and Security Committee, I will be leading the push for new legislation to tackle foreign interference and espionage. 

Foreign intelligence services are targeting Australia at an unprecedented scale. Their activity is directed against our political systems, commercial interests, critical infrastructure and migrant communities. 

There are currently no criminal offences targeting this type of interference, and our existing espionage offences are difficult to prosecute.

We are going to reshape the way our national security agencies investigate and disrupt foreign influence. 

This new legislation will: 

• Update our criminal laws to target espionage and covert interference by foreign powers
• Ban donations from foreign governments, businesses and organisations being used to influence politics and public debate
• Require anyone receiving a benefit from a foreign power who is trying to influence our political process (like public commentators) to declare their interests or face serious penalties
• Enhance the security of critical public infrastructure against foreign interference, particularly cyber attacks

These measures protect Australian democracy. 

There is no place for foreign interference in our country.