AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said foreign interference was a serious crime that undermines democracy. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
In the first case of its kind, a China-born business owner has been accused of infiltrating a Buddhist group in Canberra and spying on it for the Chinese government.
The woman, who currently legally cannot be named, was charged with an offence of reckless foreign interference when she faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (4 August).
It is the first time the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has charged a person with alleged foreign interference that involves targeting members of the community, and it is just the third time a foreign interference offence has been laid since the new laws were introduced in 2018.
The woman was arrested as a result of Operation Autumn-Shield, which was launched in March 2025 after the AFP received information from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
It is alleged that the woman covertly and deceptively collected information on the Buddhist group on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China between 2022 and 2025.
She also allegedly tasked associates to collect information on the group.
The court heard it is alleged she personally received taskings from an officer with the Chinese Public Security Bureau and had been given deposits from China-based financial institutions.
Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said it was alleged the woman “appears to have engaged in subversive conduct” and the Buddhist group “appears to have been infiltrated by the defendant”.
Police seized a mobile phone belonging to the Australian permanent resident when they raided her home last month, then officers watched when she later visited the Chinese consulate.
A police officer told the court that police found evidence for their investigation on an encrypted application on the woman’s phone. Police were concerned that this information could be accessed remotely and deleted before they could secure it all.
Defence barrister James Maher applied for the woman to be granted bail, arguing it was clear his client was now being very closely watched, monitored and listened to by police.
He said there was no suggestion she had tried to remotely delete the material on her phone after it was seized and noted she had a legal right to be able to contact her consulate.
Mr Maher asked for her to be granted bail on house arrest-like conditions.
The prosecutor opposed bail, arguing that if the woman left Australia and travelled to China, that would effectively end the investigation.
He said there was no extradition treaty between Australia and China, and as the allegations involved an act of interference tasked by the Chinese government, that made any potential extradition even more unlikely.
Chief Magistrate Walker said the woman was well-connected financially and appeared to be of “substantial means”.
After raising how one of her associates had offered to provide a $50,000 surety if she was granted bail, the chief magistrate said, “On the information provided to the court, that might be two of the defendant’s handbags”.
She ultimately said the risks of granting her bail were too great, so she refused it and remanded her in custody.
Mr Maher had also asked for an interim non-publication order on his client’s name, saying there were concerns she may become a target of reprisals for what she is alleged to have done if she were publicly named.
Also, he said that if she were not named, it would give her the chance to cooperate with authorities.
Prosecutors opposed this application, but Chief Magistrate Walker ultimately granted it on a temporary basis.
The charge of an offence of reckless foreign interference carries a maximum of 15 years’ jail.
The woman, who was assisted by a Mandarin interpreter in court, did not enter a plea. She will return to court in September.
When speaking about the investigation, AFP Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt said foreign interference was a serious crime that undermined democracy and social cohesion.
“At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia,” he said.
“That’s why the AFP and our partners will continue to educate the community about what foreign interference is, how communities can protect themselves, and, importantly, encourage the public to contact authorities if they believe they are being targeted by those working for foreign entities.
“One of the best defences to foreign interference is increased public awareness and reporting to authorities.”
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