China wants to 'take over' Australian politics: ex-spy chief

China is seeking to "take over" Australia's political system with an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espion and influence-peddling, Canberra's ex-spy master said in an interview published Friday. Duncan Lewis, who resigned in September after five years at he of Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said China could target anyone in political office, with impact potentially t kwn for years to come.

"Espion and foreign interference is insidious. Its effects might t present for deces and by that time it's too late," Lewis was quoted as telling Sydney Morning Herald in his first interview since leaving office.

"You wake up one day and find decisions me in our country that are t in interests of our country," he said.

"t only in politics but also in community or in business. It takes over, basically, pulling strings from offshore," he ded in interview with newspaper's foreign editor.

Lewis singled out incidents of Chinese nts making large contributions to Australian political parties as part of a wide-ranging influence-peddling campaign that also targeted media and country's universities.

"It's quite clear to me that any person in political office is potentially a target. I'm t trying to create paraia, but re does need to be a level of sensible awareness," he said.

former spy chief said help of Australia's large ethnic Chinese community was "vital in work against foreign covert influence" much like Muslim-Australians who have aided in fight against terrorism.

While running ASIO, Lewis, who also held senior military positions and served as Australia's ambassor to Belgium and NATO, frequently warned of dangers of foreign espion, but avoided singling out China for criticism.

His latest remarks are sure to rile Beijing, which has angrily denied allegations its ruling Communist Party was covertly meddling in Australian affairs.

Earlier this month, China barred a planned visit by two MPs from governing Liberal party over ir criticism of Chinese activities in Australia and across Pacific.

And a group of Australian universities last week anunced measures to combat foreign interference in key areas of research collaboration, cybersecurity, and international partnerships -- a move seen as targeting China.

China is also widely suspected of being behind major intrusions into computer systems of Australia's parliament and a university with close ties to government and security services.