Chinese influence enquiry into Australian politics

8th September, 2017

With news that our Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has ordered an enquiry following revelations ASIO warned parties about Chinese donations, the times come for all foreign political donations to be immediately stopped, made illegal and outlawed under Australian Law.

As Australians, we must ask ourselves why any political party, politician or candidate needs foreign donations to begin with, as ALL parties and/ or politicians should be acting in Australia's national interest, and only for the benefit of our fellow Australians.

In accepting foreign donations, there is a potential for an implied of perceived conflict of interest and as such, there has been a number of concerns lately (Labor's Sam Dastyari being the latest) and this has caused a significant breach of trust with the Australian people, and most importantly this breach of trust could potentially undermine our political process.

Australia's military, security and intelligence agencies deserve our full respect, and its incumbent on the Australian people, our parties and/ or politicians to support our hard-working military, police, security and intelligence agencies, especially when the disclosures currently being made effect our national security, and potentially the national economic interest of our country.

It's time to clean up the undue influence (perceived or otherwise) regarding foreign donations and to make all parties and/ or politicians accountable to the Australian people. I hereby support a Commission of Enquiry (with broad terms of reference) being established to investigate the level of foreign influence into our political parties, politicians and any other company or corporation incorporated within, or undertaking business within Australia.

It's time to locate those responsible for such behaviour, and to remove anyone behaving in this manner from our shores in order to ensure that our political process, and the work of our politicians and leaders continues unabated and without any perceived or implied conflict of interest. Australians have had enough, and it's time for those that wish to do our country, and my fellow Australian harm to be made accountable and prosecuted accordingly.

Furthermore, if our laws are deficient then we need to further improve our nations espionage and foreign interference laws, especially amid concerns from our Government and Prime Minister of not only Chinese influence, but any other country that may be undertaking similar behaviour against our country and its citizens.

It's also time for the creation of a Corruption and Crime Commission to cover our federal government, parliamentarians, all federal government agencies, departments and any federal expenditure. As we have seen lately, leaving the policing to our federal parliament is not working, and in order to instil confidence back into our parliamentary process, the times now come for change.

All Australians should again ask the question why any federal government, political party, parliamentarian or indeed any potential candidate would not agree to such measures, especially when the mood of the Australian people is somewhat disillusioned and frankly extremely disengaged in our political process.

As Donald Trump used in his election campaign (and Ronald Regan before him in 1983 when he pledged to limit the reach and growth of government) it really is time to "Drain the Swamp" of those wishing to do our country, and my fellow Australians harm.

This also includes political lobbyists and strategists as to put it bluntly, this is Australia, we are a sovereign country and only Australians will decide for ourselves the future direction of our country and our citizens. No more will our political process, or our politicians be exposed or held to ransom by the actions of a few, who its clear only act in their own respective self-interests.

Thank you also to all our military, police, security and intelligence agencies across Australia. Your unwavering dedication, support and commitment to defending and protecting our country is invaluable, and know that your services to your country and your fellow Australians is very much appreciated and respected. I for one will support each and every one of you to further defend and protect our Country from all threats, foreign or domestic in order to ensure the defence and security of our great country.

Philip Couper

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-06/turnbull-orders-inquiry-following-revelation-asio-warned-parties/8592308?pfmredir=sm