00:00Today, a Chinese national had appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court charged with one
00:08count of foreign interference, or reckless foreign interference, contrary to section
00:1392.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.
00:22The AFP charged the woman on Saturday 2 August 2025 after executing search warrants at premises in Canberra.
00:35The AFP has alleged the woman, who is also an Australian permanent resident, was tasked by
00:42China's Public Security Bureau to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch
00:49of the Guan Yin Sita, a Buddhist association. The AFP, through the Counter Foreign Interference Task Force,
00:59launched Operation Autumn Shield in March 2025, after receiving information from ASIO.
01:08We allege the activity was to support intelligence objectives of the China's Public Security Bureau.
01:14This is the first time the AFP has charged a person with foreign interference that allegedly involves
01:23targeting members of the Australian community. Foreign interference is a serious crime that
01:30undermines democracy and social cohesion. It is a crime carried out by, or on behalf of,
01:38a foreign principle that involves covert and deceptive conduct, or threats of serious harm, or menacing demands.
01:49Foreign interference activity may be used to influence a political or government process,
01:57influence the exercise of an Australian democratic or political right,
02:02support the intelligence objectives of a foreign principle, or prejudice national security.
02:12Australia is not immune to foreign interference, and we should not expect that this arrest will prevent
02:18further attempts to target our diaspora communities. However, it is important to note that one of the best
02:27defences to foreign interference is increased community awareness to the threat and reporting of suspicious activity to authorities.
02:38The AFP and our partners are working closely with the diaspora communities and to help protect them from this criminality.
02:46But we need all Australians to be our eyes and ears and alert authorities if they see people being targeted.
02:54We will continue to educate the community about what foreign interference is, how communities can protect themselves,
03:06and importantly encourage the public to contact authorities if they believe they are being targeted by those working for foreign principles.
03:16If anyone has information on this matter, or information on people suspected of committing foreign interference,
03:23please contact the National Security Hotline on 1-800-123-400.
03:31I will now take questions, but I am also aware that the ACT Magistrates Court issued a suppression order in this matter earlier today.
03:39so
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