Australia’s prime minster accused China Saturday of “form,” which is a record on foreign interference, following statements by his home minister Beijing’s unveiling of a security deal with the nearby Solomon IslandsIt was timed in order to influence an election.

Most polls show Scott Morrison’s Conservative Coalition headed for defeat in the May 21 elections. It has attempted to emphasize its national security credentials such as tough approach towards China.

Morrison stated that he was aware of Chinese influence in Australia. There is no form of foreign interference in Australia.

Responding to questions about the evidence of a radio broadcast by Karen Andrews, he said that China’s recent Solomons agreement revelations were a form foreign interference in Australia’s elections.

China claimed that the pact did not target third parties, and it urged Australia to respect “the sovereign and independent decisions made by China’s Solomons”.

Concerns over a Chinese military presence at less than 2,000 km (or 1,200 miles) away from Australian shores prompted by news of the Security pact With the Pacific Nation. It cast doubts on Morrison’s National Security Coalition efforts.

Morrison’s government has reacted to the criticisms of Canberra’s Labor Party, which this week called it a failure in national security.

He pointed to a ban on foreign donations and a registry of foreign representatives.

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogare had earlier told the parliament in Solomon Islands that his country will not be involved in any military operations in the Pacific.