Australia will review its espionage laws, the government's chief legal officer said this week, as the country seeks to strengthen spy agencies strained by juggling counter-terror work and worries about China's rising influence.
For years Australia has been handing extra cash and extra powers to its police and spy agencies to bolster their counter-terrorism abilities.
Then in December, responding to "disturbing reports about Chinese influence," the government turned its attention on interference in politics and announced a crackdown on political donations and the outlawing of foreign interference.