Australian state legislators searched denied doing anything harmful to the country.
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An Australia federal security official entered the house of New South Wales MP Shaw Mossman to conduct a search. (June 26, 2020)An Australian federal security official entered the house of New South Wales MP Shaw Mossman to conduct a search. (June 26, 2020)
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WASHINGTON —
A state legislator searched by the Australian police for the first time on Monday defended himself, saying that he was not a suspect in the police investigation and did not miss anything.
The house and office of Shaoquett Moselmane, a member of the Labour Party of the House of Lords in New South Wales, were raided by the police last Friday. The authorities said this was part of an investigation into Chinese interference in Australian affairs.
Mossman said at a news conference held on Monday (June 29): "I have never endangered the interests of our country and people." He also denied that the media reported that he had received funding from the Chinese government to travel to China.
Mossorman has been to China at least 15 times, mostly to give wheelchairs to children with disabilities.
Mossorman said at the press conference: "Let me say in plain English that I have never accepted a trip funded by the Chinese government. Never. All my private overseas trips are my own money."
He said he was involved in delivering 4,000 wheelchairs to foreign disabled children. There are several countries, such as Pakistan, Palestine, Lebanon, etc. China is just one of them.
The police have not yet specified why they searched Mosselman's residence in Sydney and his office in Parliament last Friday.
Australia accused China of interfering in Australia’s domestic political affairs, and for this purpose passed a new national security law in 2018, resisting foreign interference and making industrial espionage a criminal offence.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said that if the investigation resulted in the prosecution of Mossoman, it would be the first person to be charged by law since the implementation of the Australian Anti-foreign Intervention Act.
During the enactment of this law, Mossorman made high-profile criticisms.
Mossman said on Monday that he will cooperate with the Australian Federal Police's investigation, but also has the right to remain silent.
In April of this year, he praised Xi Jinping's anti-epidemic performance, saying Xi Jinping demonstrated "firm leadership." However, he subsequently resigned from the post of Assistant Speaker of the Upper House of the New South Wales State Assembly.
Mossman said on Monday that his evaluation of China's anti-epidemic disease is the same as that of US President Trump and Vice President Pence and WHO.
He considers his views on China to be the right of any Australian.
Mossman immigrated to Australia in 1977 and served as mayor of Rockdale, often participating in Chinese cultural activities.
The police did not comment on Mothman’s statement on Monday, only saying that “the investigation is still ongoing and there will be no comment for the time being.”
Modiman’s Labor leader Jodi McKay said the party suspended Mosoman’s membership. Mosoman said he will take a vacation until the police complete the investigation.
During this period, Mossorman said that neither he nor his staff would enter his office in Parliament, nor would he use his work emails, computers, or telephones.
Global Times, a tabloid of the Chinese People’s Daily, criticized Australia on Monday for “sponsoring” China. The newspaper quoted Chinese law enforcement sources as saying that Australia sent spies into China to collect intelligence. Australia described the Global Times's statement as "thief calling for thief".
Australian Prime Minister Morrison declined to comment on questions raised in response to Chinese official media. Morrison said the investigation was a "very serious problem." "We passed our anti-foreign interference laws because we are unwilling to subject Australia's political system or any other part to foreign interference."
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Mossorman said: "This investigation is about people who are said to help foreign governments to obtain benefits, that is, the People's Republic of China." "I don't know what these goals are. Let me tell you, according to me As far as I know, this is a federal police investigation."
He called this investigation "political lynching". He said: "I have no illusions, knowing that this is a very serious investigation." He emphasized that he had never done anything wrong: "I have never harmed our country and our people."
In recent years, as China’s economic power has grown, China’s penetration of Australia has become larger and larger. Especially in this virus pandemic, after Australia proposed an independent international investigation initiative on the source of the virus, the relationship between the two countries has seriously deteriorated. The friction between the two sides in trade, tourism, education, diplomacy and cyber attacks has become more intense. The Australian security department has shown a high degree of vigilance.