In an article published in Nine Network newspapers on Sunday, the Chinese government is accused of offering 1 million Australian dollars ($679,500) for a Chinese-Australian citizen to contest a federal seat.
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The citizen, 32-year-old Bo “Nick” Zhao, allegedly declined. He was found dead in a Melbourne motel room in March this year, and local authorities have been unable to conclude how he died.
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Speaking in Canberra on Monday, Morrison said Australia was “not naive” about the threats it faces from other countries.
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“That’s why we strengthened the laws, that’s why we increased the resources (for intelligence agencies),” Morrison said. “I find the allegations deeply disturbing and troubling.”
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CNN has not been able to confirm any details of the Nine Network report. On Monday, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that Beijing had never — and would never — interfere in another country’s affairs.
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“Recently some Australian politicians, organizations and media have shown a high degree of tension on the issues involving China. Some might have been in a state of panic,” he said.
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“They constantly fabricate the so-called Chinese spies and infiltration into Australia. I think no matter how extraordinary the plot is or how the trick has been refurbished, the lie is eventually a lie.”
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In a statement released Sunday, Australia’s director-general of security Mike Burgess said authorities took the report “seriously,” while not confirming the specific contents.
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“Australians can be reassured that (the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) was previously aware of matters that have been reported today, and has been actively investigating them,” he said.
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The Sunday article followed earlier claims that an alleged Chinese spy named Wang Liqiang had tried to defect to Australia, allegedly offering a trove of information on Beijing’s intelligence operations.
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CNN has not been able to verify Wang’s claims.