New laws to curb meddling by foreign governments in Australia have been passed by parliament ahead of a raft of by-elections, amid heightened fears of Chinese interference in domestic politics.
Canberra last year announced plans to introduce sweeping reforms to espionage and foreign interference laws, with China singled out as a focus of concern.
Australia's spy agency had raised worries that Beijing was interfering in local institutions and using the political donations system to gain access.
"Espionage and foreign interference pose significant risks to Australia's security and defence," the government said in a statement after the laws passed parliament late yesterday.
"Foreign adversaries are actively working against Australia's interests through a variety of means, including obtaining classified information or seeking to influence the outcome of Australia's democratic processes."
"Even in the time that it has taken to consider the Espionage and Foreign Interference Bill, the threat environment has changed and become more acute."
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