Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Our government has invested over $145 million since 2018-19 to bolster our response to foreign interference in Australia. In the 2021-22 budget, we allocated the largest long-term investment in ASIO to address the complex and dynamic national security environment with $1.3 billion over the next decade. We've also passed legislation that will ensure that the foreign minister, on the advice of our security agencies, can veto agreements with foreign countries struck by state and local governments, as well as universities. This legislation will ensure that any deal with a foreign country is in accordance with Australia's national interest. As I've said, we know that foreign actors are now using cybertactics to further interfere with Australia's interests, and that is why we have made a huge investment with the Australian Signals Directorate.