"I have no problem with the lawful use of investigative agencies to promote security. What I am critical of is the oppressive nature of this ministerial manoeuvring especially by Peter Dutton and Scott Morrison to use me and[Mr Zhang] as the scapegoat for their failing to promote a strategic,balanced and independent Australian own foreign policy."

Mr Moselmane also attacks the Labor party,which moved to suspend him on the day of the raids of his home,claiming that some"within my own political party"were seeking to aid the campaign to"smear"his name.

I will continue to be a friend of all,not least the Australian-Chinese,and the broader Asian communities.

Shaoquett Moselmane

Mr Moselmane has not responded to repeated requests to conduct an interview withThe Age andThe Sydney Morning Herald instead publishing his comments on a website that discusses public policy and publishes articles by academics,journalists and former public servants. The website is run by left-wing commentator and retired public servant John Menadue and it regularly critiques those considered too hawkish on China.

Documents filed in the High Court on August 3 revealed the basis for the raids on the home and business of Mr Zhang,a part-time staffer of Mr Moselmane's. The reasons include that Mr Zhang used a private social media chat group with Mr Moselmane to encourage the MP to advocate for Chinese state interests.

Mr Zhang is also accused of failing to disclose to Mr Moselmane that he was acting"on behalf of,or in collaboration with"the key apparatus of the Chinese Communist Party,"including the Ministry of State Security and the United Front Work Department". Mr Zhang is challenging the lawful basis of the raids on his home.

Official sources speaking anonymously because they are not authorised to comment have toldThe Age andHerald that police might take months to examine the material seized.

"The feds would not have done these raids lightly,"one source said.

Despite Mr Moselmane's allegations that the Morrison government had improper involvement in the raids,the official sources said that ASIO and the AFP had tightly held the information about the raids to ensure that no credible allegation of politicisation could be made.

The police raids were approved after the AFP presented a confidential affidavit to a magistrate outlining the allegations of foreign interference involving Mr Moselmane's office. The police raids were triggered by an ASIO inquiry that was also operating under warrants approved by judicial officers.

"I will continue to do my work as an elected member of the NSW Parliament,"Mr Moselmane said in his post on Mr Menadue's website.

"I will continue to be a friend of all,not least the Australian-Chinese,and the broader Asian communities,the subcontinent communities and others including the Australian-Arab communities."

"It’s time for the federal police to come up with the evidence for charges or drop the allegations against me and my name."