Liberal Party figure with suspected links to Beijing is the first person charged under Australia's foreign interference laws - after year-long investigation by ASIO
A former Liberal Party candidate with suspected links to Beijing has become the first person charged under foreign interference laws in Australia.
Di Sanh Duong, 65, has been charged with a foreign interference offence under national security laws which were passed in 2018. He appeared briefly in Melbourne Magistrates Court and was granted bail to appear again in March
His charge is the first since the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Bill was passed after being introduced by then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Duong was the focus of a year-long investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police.
Officers from both organisations raided multiple properties in Melbourne on October 16 in the lead up to his arrest.
Di Sanh Duong is the first person in Australia to be charged with a foreign interference offence since national security laws passed in 2018
Officers raided multiple properties in Melbourne on October 16 in the lead up to Duong's arrest (Pictured: Duong's Surrey Hills home)
The AFP allege Duong has a connection to a foreign intelligence agency, but they have refused to reveal which country, The Age reported.
He is the President of Oceania Federation of Chinese Associations and is on the board of the Museum of Chinese Australian History in Melbourne.
In 2016, the Australian part of the Oceania Federation organisation participated in a march organised by the Chinese Communist Party in Melbourne.
The rally was to reject the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea tribunal decision on South China Sea.
'Foreign interference is contrary to Australia's national interest, it goes to the heart of our democracy,' AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said after Duong's arrest.
'It is corrupting and deceptive, and goes beyond routine diplomatic influence practiced by governments.'
Duong has had a long association with the Liberal Party. and ran for the Victorian state seat of Richmond in 1996, according to party members.
On June 2, Duong had attended an event with Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge
On June 2, Duong attended an event with Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge to announce a donation of $37,000 to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for research into COVID-19, The Australian reported.
Mr Tudge tweeted images of himself and Duong holding the cheque for $37,000 at the hospital saying it 'is a fantastic example of Aussies supporting Aussies!'
'They are a terrific community organisation,' Mr Tudge said at the event, according to the paper.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Mr Tudge had any involvement with Duong other than that event.
Duong could be jailed for 10 years if found guilty of the offence. He will reappear in court in March for a committal hearing.
The AFP said THE investigation is ongoing.