The deputy chair of Parliament’s powerful Intelligence and Security Committee has sounded a warning to those who oppose the government’s proposed security laws.
“It's a very foolish thing to put Australians' back up against the wall when we introduce legislation that seeks to protect our democratic process,” Labor backbencher Anthony Byrne told Parliament this morning.
“Do not push back. Australians are famous in war, in floods, in fire and famine for being a strong and resilient people.”
The government is trying to quickly pass its foreign interference and espionage bill in a move it says will boost protections to Australia’s democracy.
It’s being urged to do it before a number of by-elections in late July.
His comments come a day after China’s ambassador to Australia rejected allegations his nation was trying to wield influence in the region.
Chinese Ambassador Cheng Jingye said China “never interferes in the internal affairs” of other countries and said there needed to be less “Cold War mentality”.
Australia’s domestic security agency ASIO has warned foreign interference and espionage is happening in Australia on an “unprecedented scale”.
Share
