Australia facing ‘very real risk’: Alleged Chinese spy arrested from UK parliament

Shadow Cyber Security Minister James Paterson has raised concerns about the vulnerability of the Australian parliament after UK authorities arrested a UK parliamentary staffer alleged to be a Chinese spy.

“It is a very real risk that exactly the same thing could happen here because we have exactly the same vulnerability,” Mr Paterson told Sky News host Sharri Markson.

“The vast majority of staff who work for parliamentarians do not receive security vetting or undergo security clearances before they work in this building.

“If you work for a government backbencher or if you’re in the opposition or on the crossbench, there is no need – in fact, no requirement or ability for your staff to be cleared.”

Mr Paterson said members of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and members of a new defence committee, which will be overseeing the “implementation of AUKUS” are “extremely attractive targets” to foreign intelligence services.

“They will be trying to place people in our offices or close to MPs who can potentially get access to that information,” he said.