A Chinese political donor linked with embattled senator Sam Dastyari reportedly paid $55,000 to attend a lunch with Labor leader Bill Shorten.
Huang Xiangmo’s donation to Labor was previously disclosed, but reports on Tuesday linked the transaction to a boardroom lunch in Sydney.
The meeting with the opposition leader took place in October 2015 during talks on the China-Australia trade deal.
A Chinese political donor linked with embattled senator Sam Dastyari reportedly paid $55,000 to attend a lunch with Labor leader Bill Shorten (pictured)
Huang Xiangmo’s (pictured with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop) donation to Labor was previously disclosed, but reports on Tuesday linked the transaction to a boardroom lunch in Sydney
Details of the meeting emerged when the Mr Huang’s company Yuhu Group was made to list the expense on a disclosure to the City of Ryde.
Their official statement to the local council describes the meeting as: ‘boardroom lunch with Hon. Bill Shorten, ALP National,’ ABC News reported.
Mandarin International Investments Pty Ltd – registered with ASIC at the same address as Yuhu Group – was used to make the donation.
The meeting occurred as ASIO chief Duncan Lewis warned Australian political parties about Mr Huang’s Chinese government links.
The meeting with the opposition leader took place in October 2015 during talks on the China-Australia trade deal (pictured is Sam Dastyari)
‘[Mr Shorten] always acted in accordance with the advice of security agencies,’ said a spokesperson for the Labor leader.
The trade deal discussed during the meeting was heavily opposed by unions and Labor backbenchers, but was eventually opposed by Mr Shorten.
‘Labor campaigned for a stronger China Free Trade Agreement that protected local jobs, and we eventually pressured the Government to cave into our position,’ the spokesperson said.
The details come as Mr Shorten faces pressure to expel Senator Dastyari from the party over his links to Mr Huang.
Mr Dastyari has been under fire over his dealings with the Chinese billionaire, and stands accused of warning Mr Huang his phones may be tapped.
Labor candidate for Bennelong Kristina Keneally (pictured) responded to Mr Turnbull’s calls for Mr Dastyari to step down by accusing the prime minister of ‘Chinaphobia’
The embattled senator gave a media conference to the Chinese language media, where he contradicted Labor’s position on the Sea China Sea.
He has also been revealed to have asked Defence officials 115 questions about China in just four years.
As new details have come to light in recent weeks the Turnbull Government have stepped up their attacks on Mr Dastyari, demanding Mr Shorten take action.
‘There has been foreign interference in Australian politics and Sam Dastyari is a classic case,’ said Mr Turnbull.
‘Why is Bill Shorten allowing him to stay in the Labor Party?’
Labor candidate for Bennelong Kristina Keneally responded to Mr Turnbull’s calls for Mr Dastyari to step down by accusing the prime minister of ‘Chinaphobia’.
‘There is an element of Chinaphobia that is rippling through Malcolm Turnbull and the Liberals’ rhetoric,’ the former New South Wales premier said on Saturday.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Yuhu Group and Mr Shorten’s office for details.
As new details have come to light in recent weeks Malcom Turnbull (pictured) has stepped up his attacks on Mr Dastyari, demanding Mr Shorten take action