6 Dec 2017

NZ urged to crack down on foreign political influence

From Morning Report, 7:11 am on 6 December 2017

New Zealand is being urged to follow Australia's lead and tighten security laws to prevent foreign governments influencing domestic politics.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says foreign political donations will be banned, the legal definition of espionage changed and a register introduced for foreign lobbyists. This comes in the wake of revelations Labor Party Senator Sa Dastyari came under the influence of Chinese donors to his party, and then warned Chinese Government-linked officials in Australia that they could be under surveillance.

Canterbury University academic Anne-Marie Brady has published a paper detailing Chinese government influence in New Zealand. She joins us to discuss the issue.