Embattled Teal independent MP Monique Ryan has welcomed a review by an integrity taskforce after an online video linked her election campaign to the Chinese Communist Party.

Dr Ryan, who hopes to retain affluent seat of Kooyong in east Melbourne this Saturday came under fire after footage emerged of two campaign volunteers claiming they were told by the Hubei Association to support her.

The group has previously been accused of working with the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Department, a foreign influence operations agency.

Dr Ryan has denied she sought the support of the Hubei Association but admitted she has a personal relationship with its president, Ji Jianmin.

Mr Jianmin was mentioned in the controversial video, with a female volunteer claiming he ‘required us Chinese diaspora to support her (Dr Ryan)’.

A male volunteer added: ‘Monique is an independent federal MP, her policies are quite suited to the needs of us Chinese diaspora. It feels like she can give a voice to us, so we want to support her.’

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) told The Australian it was aware of the video and has referred it to the Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce, which comprises of officials from various government agencies, including ASIO and the federal police.

‘It is important to note that Australia has a secret ballot. Nobody knows how another individual votes. Your vote is your choice,’ a AEC spokesperson said.

Two campaign volunteers (one pictured) claimed they were instructed by the Hubei Association, a group previously associated with the Chinese Communist Party, to support Teal independent Monique Ryan

Two campaign volunteers (one pictured) claimed they were instructed by the Hubei Association, a group previously associated with the Chinese Communist Party, to support Teal independent Monique Ryan

It comes as Dr Ryan broke her silence on the saga and welcomed the investigation.

‘I’ve contacted the AEC and the Department of Parliamentary Services and given them the details about my relationship with those volunteers and with Mr Ji,’ she said.

‘I’ve said ‘look if you’ve got any concerns please investigate.’

Dr Ryan admitted she’d met Mr Jianmin several times at events and roundtables she had hosted but denied directly asking for his support, or that of his group.

‘I’ve never had a one-on-one meeting with him and I’ve never had his support in any direct way,’ Dr Ryan told Sky News.

‘I’m not sure about the interpretation of that video, you know, whether it’s accurate,’ she said.

‘But certainly no one’s been compelled to volunteer for me, but I’m grateful for those people who have come out to volunteer on my campaign.’

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Dr Ryan solicited Mr Ji’s endorsement. 

Dr Ryan (pictured) admitted she had a personal relationship with the leader of the Hubei Association but denied soliciting his support

Dr Ryan (pictured) admitted she had a personal relationship with the leader of the Hubei Association but denied soliciting his support

Liberal campaign spokesman Senator James Paterson called for the footage of the volunteers to be investigated.

‘If confirmed, this would constitute an act of foreign interference in our democracy. Australian elections must be decided by Australians only,’ he said. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dr Ryan and the AEC for further comment. 

The latest saga follows a series of controversies during Dr Ryan’s election campaign.

Her troubles began in March when her husband, Peter Jordan, was filmed removing a sign backing her Liberal rival Amelia Hamer.

‘I unreservedly apologise for removing the sign. It was a mistake,’ Mr Jordan later told Daily Mail Australia.

‘I believed the sign was illegally placed, but I should have reported my concerns to council.’

Dr Ryan also issued her own apology.

‘I apologise for the removal of the sign. It should not have happened,’ she said.

‘All concerns around signage should be reported to Council.’

Dr Ryan and her husband were made to apologise in March after he was filmed removing her rivals election signs (pictured)

Dr Ryan and her husband were made to apologise in March after he was filmed removing her rivals election signs (pictured)

Dr Ryan then followed the incident with a disastrous appearance on ABC’s Insiders.

Referring to independent MP Allegra Spender paying social media content providers ‘to make videos talking about the great things she is doing’, host David Speers asked Dr Ryan if she had a problem with the strategy.

Dr Ryan looked confused at the question and fumbled over an answer, eventually saying: ‘We pay to generate the content we put to the voters.

‘I’m not sure there’s a big issue there.’

Speers pushed: ‘Should it be clear to voters, people looking at this content, that it’s paid for by the politician?’

Dr Ryan again looked perplexed at the straightforward question and said: ‘Ah, look, I don’t really have an opinion on it.’

An astonished Speers said ‘Really?’ before Dr Ryan again fumbled, saying, ‘I think… well…’ 

At that point, an incredulous Speers couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Dr Ryan (centre) later made enemies of the media after a disastrous ABC interview and turning her back on a Sky News reporter

Dr Ryan (centre) later made enemies of the media after a disastrous ABC interview and turning her back on a Sky News reporter

The candidate then made another enemy in the media by turning her back on a Sky News reporter as she attempted to ask her about Ms Spender’s social media content.

Dr Ryan was confronted by Sky News host Laura Jayes at an early voting centre in Malvern last week.

Jayes asked her for an update on her campaign and whether she believed it was okay for politicians to pay ‘influencers’ for sponsored content. 

Dr Ryan repeatedly ignored Jayes’ questions before lecturing the journalist for interrupting her campaigning.

When the reporter kept pushing, Dr Ryan turned her back on her and left her media minder to handle the situation. 

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