Page 3 - The Giant Awakens - A Collection of Insights into Chinese Government Influence in Australia
P. 3
PHOTO: VISION CHINA TIMES PHOTOMONTAGE
National Security and
Rory MEDCALF Foreign Interference
Criticism Speech delivered in Sydney (12 to influence our politics and navigation exercises in the South saying that this is akin to buying
of Chinese September 2017) & Brisbane (15 independent policymaking. China Sea, an issue of critical protection from ‘bandits’.
Communist Party September 2017) sensitivity to China.
influence is not This includes propaganda There is also the possible
about ethnicity. Russian interference in and censorship in much of This was one of the revelations explanation that enthusiastic
We need to the 2016 American this nation’s Chinese-language in forensic media investigations individuals, with what they may
guard against presidential election media as well as channels by Fairfax Media and ABC TV’s see as patriotic Chinese intent,
any risk of this may be the most brazen assault of interference through highly respected Four Corners are freelancing by making
issue turning into by an authoritarian power on intimidation of dissident voices program. donations that they think will
one of suspicion democratic institutions. and the establishment and resonate well among the powers
or xenophobia mobilisation of pro-Beijing It has also been reported that be in the People’s Republic
directed generally But it is certainly not the only organisations on Australian recently that Australia’s main of China.
at Australia’s example of such activity. soil. There is also the troubling political parties have received
Chinese question of political donations close to $6 million in donations Another possible explanation
communities. Democracies everywhere and their motives. over the last few years from is that political donations are
are finding themselves at risk. individuals associated with encouraged by the Chinese
Authoritarian powers are using This time last year, Labor the Australian Council for Communist Party, as part of its
the very virtues and strengths Senator Sam Dastyari stood the Promotion of the Peaceful wider efforts at influence abroad.
of democratic societies – our down from the Opposition front Reunification of China.
openness, our willingness to bench following revelations Each of us is entitled to draw
engage with talent from all over that a Chinese billionaire had The Council, in turn, is his or her own conclusions from
the world – as a way to influence paid a legal bill for the Senator reported to have connections all of this.
and weaken us. and covered a debt for travel to t he Unite d Front Work
expenses. Department, an organisation But whatever the mix of
It is time for democracies to which reports to the Central motives, one thing is clear. The
join together, and to exchange At the time, media reports Committee of the Communist
insights, intelligence and best linked these donations to Party of China. If we over-react
practices on building resilience Senator Dastyari directly to any Chinese
against foreign interference. contradicting his own Party’s Now, of course, what is not economic threats
For instance, the decision by position on the South China clear is the precise calculation and self-censor on
Canada to establish a Ministerial Sea, quoting him as stating at behind each such donation, and issues perceived to
portfolio for the protection of a press conference alongside those calculations may vary be problematic for
democratic institutions is an said billionaire that ‘The South from case to case. Beijing, it will not
inspired initiative, and one that China Sea is China’s own affair,’ protect Australia
Australia should emulate. and that on this issue ‘Australia Several explanations are from further
should remain neutral and possible. pressure – it will
We shou ld a ls o move respect China’s decision.’ signal that such
expeditiously to finalise and One, of course, is that those pressure works.
pass legislation to ban foreign While this was extraordinary making the donations have
political donations and ensure enough, there are other even such admiration and respect for
real-time transparency. That more disturbing reports. One Australia’s democratic political
way all citizens can promptly involves an offer to provide the system – so distinct, as it is,
see the reality of who is paying ALP with $400,000 at the height from the Chinese party-state –
for electoral campaigns, and can of the 2016 election campaign. that they would like to invest
thus deduce donors’ motives – According to the report, the in its dynamism and longevity.
not after they vote, but before. offer was withdrawn following Unlikely.
Labor’s Defence spokesperson
Here in Australia we have restating the Party’s position Another possible reason is
seen the Chinese Communist that in government it would be that this is partly about buying
Party involved in what appears open to conducting freedom of profile, status and access for
to be multi-faceted campaign personal and commercial
reasons. One donor has been
quoted in the Chinese media as
The Giant Awakens: Chinese Government Influence in Australia 3
National Security and
Rory MEDCALF Foreign Interference
Criticism Speech delivered in Sydney (12 to influence our politics and navigation exercises in the South saying that this is akin to buying
of Chinese September 2017) & Brisbane (15 independent policymaking. China Sea, an issue of critical protection from ‘bandits’.
Communist Party September 2017) sensitivity to China.
influence is not This includes propaganda There is also the possible
about ethnicity. Russian interference in and censorship in much of This was one of the revelations explanation that enthusiastic
We need to the 2016 American this nation’s Chinese-language in forensic media investigations individuals, with what they may
guard against presidential election media as well as channels by Fairfax Media and ABC TV’s see as patriotic Chinese intent,
any risk of this may be the most brazen assault of interference through highly respected Four Corners are freelancing by making
issue turning into by an authoritarian power on intimidation of dissident voices program. donations that they think will
one of suspicion democratic institutions. and the establishment and resonate well among the powers
or xenophobia mobilisation of pro-Beijing It has also been reported that be in the People’s Republic
directed generally But it is certainly not the only organisations on Australian recently that Australia’s main of China.
at Australia’s example of such activity. soil. There is also the troubling political parties have received
Chinese question of political donations close to $6 million in donations Another possible explanation
communities. Democracies everywhere and their motives. over the last few years from is that political donations are
are finding themselves at risk. individuals associated with encouraged by the Chinese
Authoritarian powers are using This time last year, Labor the Australian Council for Communist Party, as part of its
the very virtues and strengths Senator Sam Dastyari stood the Promotion of the Peaceful wider efforts at influence abroad.
of democratic societies – our down from the Opposition front Reunification of China.
openness, our willingness to bench following revelations Each of us is entitled to draw
engage with talent from all over that a Chinese billionaire had The Council, in turn, is his or her own conclusions from
the world – as a way to influence paid a legal bill for the Senator reported to have connections all of this.
and weaken us. and covered a debt for travel to t he Unite d Front Work
expenses. Department, an organisation But whatever the mix of
It is time for democracies to which reports to the Central motives, one thing is clear. The
join together, and to exchange At the time, media reports Committee of the Communist
insights, intelligence and best linked these donations to Party of China. If we over-react
practices on building resilience Senator Dastyari directly to any Chinese
against foreign interference. contradicting his own Party’s Now, of course, what is not economic threats
For instance, the decision by position on the South China clear is the precise calculation and self-censor on
Canada to establish a Ministerial Sea, quoting him as stating at behind each such donation, and issues perceived to
portfolio for the protection of a press conference alongside those calculations may vary be problematic for
democratic institutions is an said billionaire that ‘The South from case to case. Beijing, it will not
inspired initiative, and one that China Sea is China’s own affair,’ protect Australia
Australia should emulate. and that on this issue ‘Australia Several explanations are from further
should remain neutral and possible. pressure – it will
We shou ld a ls o move respect China’s decision.’ signal that such
expeditiously to finalise and One, of course, is that those pressure works.
pass legislation to ban foreign While this was extraordinary making the donations have
political donations and ensure enough, there are other even such admiration and respect for
real-time transparency. That more disturbing reports. One Australia’s democratic political
way all citizens can promptly involves an offer to provide the system – so distinct, as it is,
see the reality of who is paying ALP with $400,000 at the height from the Chinese party-state –
for electoral campaigns, and can of the 2016 election campaign. that they would like to invest
thus deduce donors’ motives – According to the report, the in its dynamism and longevity.
not after they vote, but before. offer was withdrawn following Unlikely.
Labor’s Defence spokesperson
Here in Australia we have restating the Party’s position Another possible reason is
seen the Chinese Communist that in government it would be that this is partly about buying
Party involved in what appears open to conducting freedom of profile, status and access for
to be multi-faceted campaign personal and commercial
reasons. One donor has been
quoted in the Chinese media as
The Giant Awakens: Chinese Government Influence in Australia 3
