Tag: Sam Dastyari

The Chinese billionaire and major political donor Huang Xiangmo has hit out at a decision to bar him from Australia, describing his treatment as “grotesquely unfair” and telling political parties to return his money if they believe it was given inappropriately. Concerns have been raised about his long-running involvement with the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China, which experts say acts as part of China’s global influence network. “The decision of visa cancellation was made based on unfounded speculations that are prejudiced and groundless,” he said in a statement. “This is not the Australia that I believe in, the Australia of freedom, democracy, rule-of-law and fairness, but I keep my faith in law and justice.” Political donor Huang Xiangmo blocked from returning to Australia Read more Huang has donated $2.7m to major parties in Australia. He came to notoriety through his dealings with the former Labor senator Sam Dastyari, who Huang gave $5,000 to cover “legal bills”. Huang on Friday urged political parties to return his money if they thought any donations were inappropriate. He said he had only ever donated money at the request of political parties. The council promotes China’s policies on Tibet and Taiwan and its vision of One China. But Huang said the council’s One China stance was in line with Australia’s own foreign policy. “If I am penalised for promoting the peaceful reunification of China, such penalty is against Australia’s own diplomatic position and international commitment as well as Australia’s fundamental principles of cultural diversity and freedom of speech,” he said.