Australia bans foreign interns from MPS’ work over spy fears

AUSTRALIA has barred foreign university students from interning in MPS’ offices following concerns about alleged Chinese espionage and interference in domestic affairs.

The internships are arranged by the Australian National University, which gives course credits to participating students.

But foreign citizens have been barred from taking up the internships following complaints by some MPS about “behind-the-scenes access enjoyed by Chinese students”, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Individual MPS will still be able to offer informal internships and work experience to foreign students.

Australia is one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students. In April, there were more than 500,000 foreign students at Australian educational institutions, about 30 per cent of whom were from China.

But there have been growing concerns about alleged meddling by China in domestic politics and at universities.

Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s prime minister, recently passed tough measures to combat foreign interference, including a ban on foreign political donations and a requirement that lobbyists from abroad register their interests.

This followed his concerns about alleged Chinese interference after the resignation of an opposition MP who adopted a pro-china stance on tensions in the South China Sea after accepting donations from a wealthy businessman.

The decision to restrict the parliamentary internships reportedly followed complaints by some MPS about the possibility that Chinese students may exploit their access to MPS and ministers’ affairs.

The university said it accepted international students into its internship programs but host institutions could advise of criteria, such as whether they accepted non-australians.

According to a report last week, the university’s computer system was last year infiltrated by Chinese hackers.