A Chinese telco giant has been revealed as the biggest corporate sponsor of Australian politicians travelling overseas.
More than one-in-five corporate trips over the past eight years were provided by Huawei – almost twice as many as the Chinese government, a report has revealed.
The company was banned from supplying the National Broadband Network by the Gillard Government in 2012, but has since supplied phones to defence officials and diplomats.
A Chinese telco giant has been revealed as the biggest corporate sponsor of Australian politicians travel. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop accepted Huawei largesse in 2011 while in opposition. She is pictured at Parliament House with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in 2017
Liberal politicians received seven of the 12 trips paid for by the company, while Labor benefited five times.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop accepted Huawei largesse in 2011 while in opposition.
Ms Bishop told parliament in 2016 she properly declared the trip and was not foreign Minister at the time.
While the Liberals had more trips sponsored by Huawei, Labor parliamentarians were sponsored on trips to China 37 times compared to just 25 for the Liberals.
A new report shows more than one-in-five corporate trips over the past eight years were provided by Huawei – almost twice as many as the Chinese government
The report showed Israel, China and the USA were the top three destinations sponsored by non-Australian Government entities.
The Jewish Affairs Council also paid for 26 Liberals and 17 Labor politicians to travel to Israel between 2010 and 2018.
The sponsored junkets reportedly included business class flights, domestic travel, free accommodation and meals.
Senator Darren Hinch (pictured) said it was not a good look for the Foreign Minister to meet with the company
Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm said the general principle was that all free trips be declared in the pecuniary interest register.
‘Then if there’s any suggestion that you’re influenced, it’s on the public record and voters can decide for themselves,’ he said.
‘I wouldn’t accept any trips of that kind.’
A Julie Bishop (centre) speaks at the inaugural Australia-China High-Level Security Dialogue at the Shangri-La Hotel in April 2017
Labor Senator Doug Cameron was aware Huawei had been providing free travel, saying while it was not illegal politicians needed to be ‘extremely careful’.
Security officials have also expressed concerns about whether the company should be allowed to equip Australia’s 5G communications network, and politicians from both sides have expressed concerns.
The Jewish Affairs Council and the American Leadership Dialogue were the biggest sponsors of travel to Israel and the USA.
Liberal politicians received seven of the 12 trips paid for by the company, while Labor benefited five times.