Quite right from Honest John:
“I think Sam Dastyari should leave the parliament,” Mr Howard said at an event at his former electorate of Bennelong.
“Who is standing behind Sam Dastyari? Bill Shorten because he relies on his factional support.
“I think the sight of him mouthing a line of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government ought to disqualify him from parliament.”
Mr Howard rejected claims the government’s clamp down on foreign influence could put off the large Chinese community in Bennelong ahead of a crucial by-election.
…“I don’t think the government is overreacting.”
I’ve had plenty of problems with Honest John over the years but what a relief to hear a clear position! Shorten’s failure on this will haunt him badly.
That said, this appears to be a “non-core” promise from Honest John:
CHINESE Communist Party-linked donor Huang Xiangmo’s former adviser — who was present in the room when Labor’s Sam Dastyari warned Mr Xiangmo his phone was under surveillance — has joined John Alexander’s campaign team in Bennelong.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Tim Xu has been campaigning for Mr Alexander.
Mr Xu was Mr Huang’s adviser, confidante, interpreter and communications manager from March 2014 until August this year. Mr Xiangmo, a prominent political donor and Chairman of the Yuhu Group, has been accused of seeking to further the interests of the Chinese Communist Party in Australia.
He does not speak English and rarely went anywhere without Mr Xu.
…On Mr Xu’s LinkedIn site, it states: “In his current role with Yuhu Group, Tim is a trusted adviser and confidant to company leaders, including the chairman and CEO. This position requires discretion, sound judgment and the ability to solve complex problems.”
…Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said there could be a security investigation into Senator Dastyari’s links with Mr Xiangmo. A Liberal Party spokesman said: “This person is a private individual, and is not employed by the Yuhu Group.”
Riiiight…
