Liberal Senator Jane Hume has apologised for using the term “Chinese spies” during the election when referring to Chinese Labor volunteers campaigning for then Home Affairs minister Clare O’Neil in her seat of Hotham.

In an interview on Sunrise in May, Ms Hume said there “might be Chinese spies that are handing out” how-to-vote cards at polling booths for Ms O’Neil .

Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, Ms Hume said she should “never have used the phrase ‘Chinese spies’” during the election campaign.

“For that, I apologise. It was ill-conceived and it was in the heat of a moment. But it was the context of foreign interference that was being alleged on Labor booths in the seat of Hotham,” Ms Hume told Sky News host Laura Jayes.

Ms Hume said the alleged foreign interference was being inv

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