Australian media reported on Friday that Chinese spies were seeking to “interfere” in the country’s upcoming federal election, but the plot was foiled by the National Security Agency.
According to Reuters, the Chinese were trying to carry out their conspiracy through the candidates of the center-left Labor opposition Party by financing them.
According to the report, the plot was arranged by an unnamed businessman with strong Chinese connections who sought to fund candidates in the state of New South Wales in exchange for influence in public office. This person has been referred to as a “puppeteer”.