Liberal backbencher Gladys Liu is being urged to address Parliament about multiple claims of her association with China’s foreign influence operations.
“The parliament needs to look at this very, very carefully to make sure there are no foreign influences taking place,” Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick told AM.
The ABC revealed yesterday Chinese Government records indicating the Liberal backbencher was a member of two provincial chapters of the China Overseas Exchange Association between 2003 and 2015.
The Association then reported directly to Beijing’s powerful State Council and has since been merged with the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, aimed at influencing foreign governments.
“It would be prudent for Ms Liu to make a statement to the parliament about the story,” Senator Patrick told AM.
He also called for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to investigate the claims.
“I think it’s probably appropriate that the Prime Minister seek an advice from ASIO.”
The Liberal backbencher told Sky News she “cannot recall” being on two provincial councils of the China Overseas Exchange Association.
“If I can’t recall, I cannot be an active member of that council, can I?” she told interviewer Andrew Bolt.
When pushed on the question, she added: “I can tell you I have never been a member of this council.
Mr Bolt also questioned Ms Liu about her views on China’s military expansion in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Three times Ms Liu declined to characterise China’s actions as “illegal” but said she supported the Australian Government’s position.
The International Court of Arbitration has found China’s actions to be unlawful under international law and both major parties in Australia support that finding.
INFOGRAPHIC: The Chinese name of Gladys Liu circled in red on the China Overseas Exchange Association Shandong list.
You know it’s hot stuff when the ABC deigns to quote Andrew Bolt. And there’s more CCP hot water for the LNP, at Herald Sun:
A Chinese property developer in business with NSW cabinet minister John Sidoti on a $70 million development donated to the Liberal Party at a “dinner with candidate” fundraiser in the minister’s Drummoyne electorate.
The developer donation — banned in NSW — has been uncovered in an explosive investigation into the private business interests of Mr Sidoti, who in April this year was promoted from parliamentary cabinet secretary to Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans Affairs.
The Daily Telegraph has found among the anomalies in Mr Sidoti’s declarations to parliament is the failure to acknowledge $580,000 annual rent on a three commercial properties in which he holds an interest.
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In case you’ve wondered why the LNP has not gone as hard on Labor corruption, now you know.
David Llewellyn-Smith is Chief Strategist at the MB Fund and MB Super. David is the founding publisher and editor of MacroBusiness and was the founding publisher and global economy editor of The Diplomat, the Asia Pacific’s leading geo-politics and economics portal.
He is also a former gold trader and economic commentator at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, the ABC and Business Spectator. He is the co-author of The Great Crash of 2008 with Ross Garnaut and was the editor of the second Garnaut Climate Change Review.
