In June earlier this year, a NSW Labor MP’s house was raided on allegations of his links to China by the Federal agencies.
At that time, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was aware of an investigation that had been going on for some time which "elevated to a new level today."
He described the developments in Sydney as "extremely serious".
"We won't cop anyone coming and seeking to interfere in our political system," Mr Morrison said.
(Listen to the full interview of MP Shaoquett Moselmane with SBS Urdu)
Federal agents are seen leaving the home of NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane in Rockdale, Sydney, Friday, June 26, 2020. Source: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi
Born in Lebanon, Mr Moselmane arrived in Australia as a 12-year-old in 1977 and, after qualifying as a lawyer, served four times as Rockdale City Council mayor between 1995 and his election to the NSW Parliament in 2009.
Shaoquett Moselmane is the first Muslim MP in NSW Parliament and has held roles including assistant president of the upper house. The Labor Party MP talked to SBS Urdu about how his family was traumatised during 19 hours house search by AFP.
“It was frightening, it was humiliating, it was mentally distressing and was shockingly oppressive.
“Imagine having the Federal Police in your home for 19 hours, from 6:30 am on a Friday morning to 1:30 am the next day Saturday. For two shifts over 20 policemen were there in your home, with your wife and sons, effectively captive with the media lining up my street for three days beaming images against me to the world.
“It continues to this day when someone knocks at my door,” he said.
The Labor MP was also critical of the role of mainstream media during the ordeal. He praised ethnic media and stressed on the need for uplifting and accommodating ethnic media to reflect Australian multicultural society.
NSW Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane leaves the Parliament of New South Wales in Sydney, Friday, June 26, 2020. Source: AAP Image/James Gourley
“It is a lesson that there need to be more mainstream media with more objective coverage of the stories that tell the story as factually as possible.” MP Moselmane said.
On 22nd October 2020, after returning to the NSW Parliament from volunteer leave, Shaoquett Moselmane stated that he is not under any investigation, and not a suspect- a parliamentary committee voted to allow his return.
“I am informed I am not a suspect in this investigation, the investigation is into certain other people allegedly advancing the goals of foreign government namely the Peoples Republic of China. I am not sure what those goals are.
"According to what I have been told that this is a Federal Police investigation. I have never been introduced or made aware of any ASIO officers either at my home or in my Parliamentary office during the execution of the search warrant.
"I have cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the investigations subject to legal advice.
“Let me tell you I have done nothing wrong. I have never jeopardised the welfare of our country and our people,” he said.
Share
