- by cnn
- 25 Apr 2024
Europe is considering following Australiaâs example in creating new laws to counter covert forms of foreign influence as it looks to combat the activities of Chinaâs overseas propaganda arm.
Liberal senator James Paterson, chair of the Australian Parliamentâs intelligence and security committee, urged European nations to work together with like-minded democratic nations such as Australia to counter foreign interference.
In a keynote speech delivered virtually to the European Parliament on Tuesday, Senator Paterson said âforeign interference comes from many different sources and it is so critically important that as democracies we recognise the threats and that we do everything we can to combat these threatsâ.
âThey will only continue to evolve and grow in complexity as technology advances and so does the capability of those who seek to do us harm,â he said.
In a draft report, the European Parliament raised concern about the activities of foreign authoritarian states within the continent including the âcrucial role played by Chinaâs United Frontâ, and pointed out the âexperiences of Australia and New Zealand in dealing with the United Frontâ.
The United Front Work Department is the Chinese Communist Partyâs organisational effort to use the diaspora of citizens abroad to turn opinion and policy in Beijingâs favour.
The European Parliament also raised concern about the lack of transparency for lobbyists, citing Australiaâs Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme as âa good practice to followâ.
Premier announces changes to long-delayed project
read more