Senate debates

Wednesday, 11 November 2020

Answers to Questions on Notice

Foreign Interference

5:19 pm

Photo of Zed SeseljaZed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters) Share this | | Hansard source

I table a response to a question taken on notice during question time on Monday, asked by Senator Keneally, relating to foreign interference. I seek leave to have the correspondence incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows

Dear Mr President

I write with regard to a question I took on notice from Senator Keneally during Question Time, Monday 9 November 2020, on the matter of foreign interference.

I can advise that the Australian Federal Police has provided briefings to the Government as appropriate.

All operational decision-making has rested with the Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce led by the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

As the matter is before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further on the details of the case.

I have copied this letter to the Prime Minister and Senator Keneally. Yours sincerely

Simon Birmingham

Minister for Finance

11 November 2020