Spooks
In my novel, Corruption, I describe how the Chinese government tries to recruit politicians. Of course, that is a novel and fiction. However, we read in the press that ‘a former Australian politician “sold out their country, party and former colleagues” after being recruited by spies for a foreign regime, according to Australia’s domestic intelligence agency’. The Director-General of ASIO, ‘Mike Burgess, made the allegations as he outlined the prolific activities of a spy network he labelled “the A-team”, although he did not name the former politician nor the country involved’. (The Guardian, 28 Feb 2024 online). He went on to say: ‘This politician sold out their country, party and former colleagues to advance the interests of the foreign regime.’
The slippery slope
It is hard to imagine a more serious form of corruption, because at its root, that is what it is – selling integrity and the common good for personal gain. It is also hard to imagine that that is the only form of corruption the politician engaged in. It is probable that the foreign agency targeted the individual because it had information that they were susceptible or amenable to such an approach. In his talk, the ASIO chief points out that there was even a plot to assassinate a dissident, which, fortunately was foiled.
Finding integrity
In my novel, Patrick O’Leary is approached to set up such an arrangement. That is when he realises the gravity of the situation he has got himself into. He draws back. Somehow, he finds some vestige of integrity. But not everybody will. Apparently, not everyone does.
The book
Corruption is available (paperback or eBook) through the publisher, Austin Macauley, or your favourite bookstore.
Gerard Hogan
29 February 2024
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