Large Scale Rally in Australia to Address Beijing-led Transnational Repression

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.              OCTOBER 28, 2025

Large Scale Rally in Australia to Address Beijing-led Transnational Repression

Time: 9:30AM

When: Tuesday October 28^th

Where: Parliament House Lawn

(Canberra, October 27) – On Tuesday October 28^th a public rally will call for urgent scrutiny of growing Transnational Repression on Australian soil. The rally also draws attention to the Australian Government to introduce stronger protective measures to safeguard sovereignty, community safety and the rights of diaspora groups.

Keynote address from Canadian human rights lawyer David Matas who is currently visiting Australia after delivering a landmark address to the UK House of Lords on the dangers of transnational repression. Mr Matas is also a leading expert on the ongoing organ transplant abuse practices in China.

Listen to Mr Matas’ recent ABC Radio Brisbane interview here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/brisbane-mornings/mornings/105908346 (Interview starts at 2hrs 11min )

Key Objectives

• Call on the Commonwealth Government to establish a Senate Inquiry into Transnational Repression (TNR)

• Ensure robust legal and legislation guidelines are taken into consideration against foreign interference, espionage, harassment and coercion

• Hear from communities subjected to suppression and surveillance

• Reinforce Australia’s sovereignty and democratic integrity

Context & Recent Incidents

The Australian Government, through its delivery of the Joint Statement on Transnational Repression, affirmed that when states act beyond their borders to silence dissidents, they undermine “national sovereignty, democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms.” DFAT. The statement identifies several methods of transnational repression (TNR) — including physical aggression, forced returns, misuse of law-enforcement networks, and digital surveillance or intimidation — all of which threaten civil liberties and democratic norms.

In August 2025, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) charged a Chinese national for the first time, in Canberra under section 92.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) (reckless foreign interference) after allegations they covertly collected intelligence on a local Buddhist association on behalf of China’s Public Security Bureau. AFP Source AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt described such covert, deceptive conduct as a direct assault on democracy, social cohesion and national sovereignty.

At the local government level, in Cumberland Council (NSW), a diaspora-linked organisation with backing from Beijing — the Fuqing Association — intervened to block the passing of a motion supporting World Falun Dafa Day, despite strong community support. The motion had sought to recognise the benefits attributed to Falun Dafa.

Speakers:

David Matas, as a distinguished human rights lawyer, will speak from his experience exposing forced organ harvesting and persecution of dissent, warning that foreign governments’ reach into host societies must be countered by robust legal and institutional defences (full text available on the ETAC website).

What We Call on the Government To Do

1. Establish a Senate Inquiry into Transnational Repression with powers to subpoena witnesses, assess current legal gaps, and make binding recommendations

2. Strengthen counter-interference legislation, including expanding oversight of foreign agents, espionage, digital surveillance, and reprisal threats

3. Ensure interagency coordination (DFAT, ASIO, AFP) with regular reporting to Parliament on TNR incidents and investigations

We invite all media outlets, civic groups, academics, and concerned individuals to attend, interview speakers, and amplify this critical call to action for preserving Australia’s sovereignty, democratic integrity, and community safety.

Media contact: Sonya 0481 304 254

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