AG George Brandis has outlined a plan to overhaul foreign interference and espionage laws this year as Canberra was left reeling from reports of growing Chinese influence on Australia’s two major political parties. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Mr Joyce called it “treachery” for any foreign power to try to buy influence over Australia’s political process.

His comments come after a joint investigation by ABC’s Four Corners program and Fairfax Media revealed intelligence agency ASIO had warned the Liberal, National and Labor parties two years ago about accepting donations from two high-profile Chinese businessmen in particular.

Labor Senator Sam Dastyari has also been thrown into the spotlight for reportedly trying to assist one of the businessmen in attempting to gain Australian citizenship.

It comes amid concerns by US politicians about Russian interference in the recent presidential elections.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has backed making changes to foreign donation laws as Canberra was left reeling from reports of growing Chinese influence on Australia’s two major political parties. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas CochSource:AAP

“I abhor the idea that some nation would have influence in our nation, especially if it is attached to a pecuniary situation,” Mr Joyce told reporters in Canberra today.

“It needs to be investigated and it is precisely what will be happening at this moment, it is why we have ASIO,” he said.

“There is a vast difference between a party getting a donation that there is no real direct benefit to a person but if people are buying influence in our nation, well, that is treachery.

“We can’t abide that in any way, shape or form, from any country, not just China.”

Mr Joyce said there needed to be greater transparency over where political donations came from.

“It’s not just political parties but also people who are also quasi-political parties ... such as GetUp!” he said.

“We’ve got to know that if you are involved in the political process, if you’re trying to influence votes, if you’re trying to change the direction of the nation, that is fair enough, but we have got to know who is trying to change your direction.”

PM Malcolm Turnbull, pictured with Acting AFP Commissioner Michael Phelan, says a review is currently underway into espionage laws and foreign donations. Picture Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull directed Attorney-General George Brandis to review Australia’s espionage laws and the activities of foreign governments in Australia in early May.

“[Keeping] the sovereignty of our democratic processes free from foreign interference is a matter of the highest concern,” he said today.

Both Mr Turnbull and Mr Joyce said Labor senator Sam Dastyari had questions to answer over his involvement in assisting one of the businessmen in his application for Australian citizenship.

The joint ABC-Fairfax investigation found ASIO director-general Duncan Lewis briefed officials from the three major political parties in 2015 on concerns about accepting donations from Chinese businessmen Huang Xiangmo and Chau Chak Wing.

Attorney-General George Brandis has outlined a plan to overhaul foreign interference and espionage laws this year. Picture: AAP Image/Mick TsikasSource:AAP

The two men, with associates, reportedly donated about $6.7 million to political parties.

Since the warning, the Coalition has accepted $897,960 from the businessmen while Labor received $200,000.

Both men reportedly have connections to the Chinese Communist Party.

Tony Abbott has confirmed he was briefed on the matter as Prime Minister.

“I was briefed that there were a couple of individuals who were of concern to ASIO and that they were significant donors to both political parties,” Mr Abbott told 2GB this morning.

He said the important thing was “that politicians do the right thing by the country”.

“I don’t believe that any government has done the wrong thing but obviously it’s important to be aware of these influences and to make sure that decisions are being made for the right reasons not for the wrong ones,” he said.

“The idea that a minister or a government would make a decision because it’s been bought is appalling.”

Senator Dastyari, who lost his position on Labor’s frontbench last year over letting a company with links to the Chinese Government pay a $1,670.82 bill incurred by his office, has been caught up in the reports over trying to help Mr Huang gain citizenship.

His office called the Immigration Department four times in 2016 to question the progress of Mr Huang’s citizenship application.

The application has still not been progressed.

Labor Senator Sam Dastyari has also been thrown into the spotlight for reportedly trying to assist one of the businessman in attempting to gain Australian citizenship. Picture: AAP Image/Mick TsikasSource:AAP

Senator Dastyari told the publication it was his role to assist constituents with migration matters, including liaising with the Immigration Department.

He said he was “never given any reason to have concerns about Mr Huang” up to and including his final contact.

Senator Brandis, who has been leading a review into Australia’s espionage and foreign interference laws at the Prime Minister’s request this year, said the matter was now a “global reality” which could “cause immense harm”.

He aimed to put reforms before Parliament before the end of the year.

“As part of this process we are considering the adequacy and effectiveness of the espionage offences under the Criminal Code Act 1995, relevant international frameworks, and whether there are complementary provisions that would strengthen our agencies ability to investigate and prosecute acts of espionage and foreign interferenance,” Senator Brandis told Fairfax.

The report comes after it was revealed yesterday ASIO had raided the Canberra home of high profile Chinese socialite Sheri Yan and her Australian husband Roger Uren, a former intelligence officer.

Former Trade Minsiter Andrew Robb, who announced he would be retiring from politics ahead of the 2016 election, was found to have taken up a $880,000 per year consulting job with another Communist Party-connected businessman the day before the election.

As Trade Minister, Mr Robb negotiated a free-trade agreement with China in 2015.