Investigation into ex-ADF members working with foreign powers should go beyond China, says former ASIO boss

Any review into whether former Australian defence personnel are working for the Chinese military should also look at other countries, according to one of the nation's most respected former defence officials. Defence Minister Richard Marles has announced an urgent review into the existing rules and regulations, amid serious concerns Beijing is using lucrative contracts to try to lure former ADF personnel to train its military. Dennis Richardson - who has served as secretary of the Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as head of intelligence agency ASIO and as Australia's ambassador to the United States - hopes the review goes beyond China. "I have been surprised at some of the positions that some former ADF officers have occupied in other countries," Mr Richardson told the ABC's Afternoon Briefing. Defence pilot investigation Defence Minister Richard Marles orders his department to investigate reports former members of the ADF have been approached to provide military training to China. Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie said former ADF personnel have been speaking to him about the issue. On whether different standards are to be applied to different countries courting former ADF personnel, Mr Hastie said "You do have to make a distinction."