CANBERRA, Australia: After his home minister said Beijing’s unveiling of a security deal with the nearby Solomon Islands was timed to influence Australian elections, Prime Minister Scott Morrison agreed, accusing China of interfering in foreign politics.

With most polls predicting defeat for his conservative coalition in Australia’s May 21 election, Morrison has sought to highlight his party’s national security credentials, such as a tough approach to China.

“We are very aware of the influence the Chinese government seeks to have in this country. There is form on foreign interference in Australia,” he told reporters in Tasmania.

Morrison made his statement in response to a query about evidence following a radio statement by Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews, who said the timing of China’s revelation of its recent Solomons deal was a form of foreign interference in Australia’s election.

However, China responded, saying the pact was not targeted at any third party, urging Australia to “respect the sovereign and independent choices made by China and the Solomons.”

The security pact caused concerns about a Chinese military presence less than 1,200 miles from Australia, and cast doubt about Morrison’s national security efforts.

After Australia’s opposition Labor party this week called the deal a national security failure by Canberra, Morrison’s government has toughened its remarks.

“Any suggestion that the Chinese government does not seek to interfere in Australia, well, we did not put that legislation in for no reason,” he stressed, indicating a ban on foreign political donations and a register of foreign representatives.

Manasseh Sogavare, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, has told parliament that the country had signed the China deal as a security pact with Australia was inadequate, but it would not participate in any militarization in the Pacific.