During a whirlwind trip to Australia, I wrote an op-ed for the Sydney Morning Herald on the importance of Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull’s counter-interference legislation. The laws strengthen Australia’s democratic institutions, but are only the beginning. As I wrote, “The challenge is to effectively define and counter illegitimate foreign influence without falling victim to the McCarthyist witch hunts that occurred across the West when Soviet infiltration was exposed.” 

Key Takeaways:

• Resisting Chinese coercion requires the government to expend political capital and resources to monitor foreign influence, prosecute offenders, and facilitate public debate
• A robust free press is a critical element of strengthening our resilience and countering covert influence
• Recognize coercion for what it is: a foreign government committing violence against our citizens on our soil