Moselman (Shaoquett Moselmane), a pro-Chinese councillor of the new state labour party, was raided by officials of the australian federal police (AFP) and the australian security intelligence agency (ASIO) this morning at his home in south sydney, and his office in parliament was searched by agents of those agencies. The media said today the search involved a national security agency investigation into china's influence.
According to media sources, federal agents questioned Moselman in a conference room outside his parliament office.
New state labour leader mckay (Jodi McKay) said moselman would be suspended from membership and no longer a member of the new state labour parliament caucus.
Procedures have been initiated to stop his New State Labour Party membership.
Unlike many politicians and media outlets in australia's moselman has repeatedly praised china's government, and praised's government, and praised china's president Xi Jinping his "firm" and "decisive" response to the outbreak.
"Failure to contain the pandemic could mean thousands or even hundreds of thousands of lives lost ," he wrote in an article earlier this year. Great efforts by the country and people to contain the virus are breathtaking. "
A video of mr moselman's april speech praising the president of the Xi Jinping for dealing with the outbreak was exposed, forcing him to resign as deputy speaker of the house, under pressure from the media and labour parties.
He also said that China needed "strong change rules to establish a new world order ".
Mausselman served as honorary chairman and member of some Australian Chinese groups in Sydney. His 2015 visit to Shanghai to meet officials such as the city CPPCC president was also questioned by Australian media.
New State Labour Leader "extremely concerned"
Federal police confirmed Friday that a search warrant had been executed in Sydney as part of an ongoing investigation, but there was no threat. for the community
Labour leader Mckay said she was told that agency officials, including the Australian Security Intelligence Agency, entered Moselman's home and held a search warrant for her office.
When asked by the journalist at the press conference about reports that councillor Moselman's office was "infiltrated by Chinese agents ", McKay replied :" It is of great concern. This is a terrible situation. councillor are expected to do everything in the best interests of the country. "
In response to media enquiries, the Australian Security Intelligence Agency said :" The Australian Security Intelligence Agency can confirm that a search warrant was executed this morning as part of an ongoing investigation. "
According to the Daily Telegraph, the search of Moselman's home in councillor South Sydney was part of an attempt by counterintelligence agencies to search for evidence of "Chinese conspiracy on Australian soil ".
Agent's "interest" in a Moselman clerk
McKay says she has limited access to information, but Labour is working with the agencies involved, including staff involved in the investigation.
When asked by the journalist whether the search was linked to suspicion of infiltration of Chinese government, she replied :" No, I was surprised. "
"I'm sure there's another person (the investigative body) who's interested in the staff, but we' re trying to figure out if he's a member of the Labour Party, and if he's a member of the Labour Party, his membership will be suspended ," Ms. McKay said. "
It is reported that the staff member of Moselman's office is a Chinese immigrant.
"All I tell you is that I can tell you... Clearly, what I can and can not say is strictly limited. A number of well-equipped and important institutions are conducting comprehensive investigations into the issue. we will cooperate with them. "
Law enforcement agencies will report some of the findings to McKay later Friday.
Two years before today's shocking incident, the federal labour party senator dunson (Sam Dastyari) had been forced to resign because of close ties with chinese relationship and political donations from some chinese companies. Mr dunson was particularly accused of relationship close to chinese real estate businessman huang xiangmo, who has been revoked by the federal government of his permanent residence visa.
The Prime Minister is aware of ongoing investigations
Prime Minister Morrison (Scott Morrison) said in Canberra this afternoon that he knew the investigation had been under way for some time.
"Today, it has risen to a new level ," he said. "
"Action is necessary, government is absolutely determined to ensure that no one can interfere in Australia's activities. We will not tolerate anyone who tries to interfere in our political system. "
He also warned foreign powers not to interfere with Australia, which would not compromise against foreign intervention and would act decisively, as today's action shows.
The Federal Law minister Porter (Christian Porter) said Friday that espionage and foreign interference threat to Australia's national security.
"One can say that the government is acutely aware of the situation and redraws the relevant law, according to the evidence to apply to espionage, foreign intervention and foreign influence. "
The Chinese Staff Home was also searched
There was news in the afternoon that the home and company of the Chinese-American part-time staff of councillor's office, Zhang, was also searched by the Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Agency agents.
The Chinese-American man is known to have served as president of a Chinese association in Sydney. Today's survey focuses on the activities of the Chinese man.
New state police chief Eliot (David Elliot) said he had asked Moselman to resign on the parliament today if not, Labour leader McKay should come forward to ask him to resign.
He said :" It is alarming that the councillor's office is only a few metres away from the Governor's office, the Chief of Police's office and the Chief of Counter-Terrorism's office, and that it has been infiltrated by foreign forces. "
