Foreign interference is when other countries try to secretly interfere with decisions and other matters in Australia. They might be dishonest, use unfair power or hide their actions. It can harm Australia's freedom and go against what’s best for our country.
Foreign interference includes activity taken by, or together with, foreign governments that:
- involves a threat to an individual, or
- is hidden, dishonest, threatening or corrupting and intended to influence an individual’s political rights or undermine Australia’s national interests.
It can happen alongside espionage (spying), sabotage, and other ways of trying to hurt us. We want to protect our country from this kind of behaviour.
Some foreign countries are targeting different parts of Australian life, such as our:
- government
- businesses and industry
- schools and universities
- media
- communities.
The threats we face
The threats we're facing are serious and complex. Foreign interference challenges our independence, values and ability to make good decisions as a nation.
Foreign interference threatens the things that we value most about our country, such as:
- our freedoms
- how we work together as a society
- how we have our own say in government decisions.
When things are left unchecked, they can have a negative impact on our national security, such as:
- our free and open government might become weaker
- our society may struggle to come together
- our economic growth could slow down.
How foreign interference happens
It involves foreign powers trying to secretly and improperly interfere in Australian society to advance their strategic, political, military, social or economic goals, at our expense.
Those who take part in foreign interference try to shape Australia’s independent decision-making and change outcomes.
They manipulate people to gain an improper advantage through personal, political, business and diplomatic relationships.
They limit freedom of expression and shape the media and other communications. This is done to spread propaganda, or undermine and misguide public conversation about important national matters.
They also target communities through pressure and manipulation. They do this to create conflict, silence those with opposing views or damage the cohesion of our society.
Foreign influence is different
It is important to distinguish foreign interference from foreign influence. All governments, including the Australian Government, seek to influence others in relation to issues of importance to them. Australia is not concerned with foreign influence activity that is open and transparent and that respects our people, society and systems.
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