Australia foreign ‘meddling’ laws will be eased

Significance

He will meet President Donald Trump and various US security officials; China’s political, economic and security influence in the Asia-Pacific is expected to be discussed. This follows Australia’s governing coalition earlier this month being forced to amend a proposed law on foreign interference in Australian political processes, partly aimed at China, after a backlash from legal experts and the media, who argued it would impinge on freedom of speech.

Impacts

• Australian accusations of Chinese political meddling will harm bilateral ties further.
• Labor and the Greens will lead criticism of the laws, which could benefit them politically.
• Overseas collaboration by universities and business associations could suffer under the laws.