David Leyonhjelm (NSW, Liberal Democratic Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Bernardi, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) expresses the firm view that at all times senators must act in the Australian national interest and not in the interests of other nations;

(b) notes potential serious consequences for senators who fail to meet legal requirements to act in that fashion; and

(c) urges all senators to adhere to this view in their communications and dealings with persons who may be foreign agents or otherwise under the surveillance of Australia's security apparatus.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President, Special Minister of State) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Covert foreign influence against our political system can cause immense harm to our national sovereignty, the safety of our people, our economic prosperity and the very integrity of our democracy. This government has already embarked on a program of legislative and policy reform to ensure Australia's people and interests are protected from the threat of espionage and covert foreign interference. The Attorney-General has recently completed a thorough review of Australia's foreign interference legislation. The government will shortly introduce comprehensive reforms into the parliament to address a broad spectrum of foreign interference and covert political influence activity in Australia.

Question agreed to.