Australia bans foreigners from parliament internships

SYDNEY: Foreigners have been banned from working as interns for Australian members of parliament, a spokesman for the Senate said yesterday, in a reform apparently aimed at blocking Chinese prying into Australian affairs.

The programme placing young people in a much-prized position working for a federal legislator for a three-month stint had been open to all nationalities, as long as the applicant did not have a criminal record.

“Internships at Parliament House are restricted to Australian citizens,” said a spokesman for Senator Scott Ryan, president of the Senate, which oversaw the change.

The spokesman declined to comment on what prompted the alteration or if it was made to block Chinese interference.

Late last year, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull accused China of meddling in domestic affairs. China denied the accusation which led to a strain in ties between the important trading partners.