Sam Dastyari’s ‘shock’ is laughable

SAM Dastyari’s China problem is just another example of a deeper issue — a political machine that goes from one international benefactor to the next, writes Dennis Atkins.

SAM Dastyari’s backyard chat with a rich Chinese businessman with obvious but denied links to the regime in Beijing is the latest example of an Australian political machine that flits from international benefactor to international benefactor.

The once almost invincible New South Wales Right faction might be good at counting numbers but has a history of showing little if any judgment on many occasions.

The relationship between Dastyari and Huang Xiangmo — until early this week the chairman of the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China — was brought back into the public eye because of a stunning revelation the Senator advised his sometimes Chinese benefactor to talk in the back yard because the Australian intelligence services were probably listening.

Dastyari, who resigned this week from a Labor whip’s post in the Senate because of his indiscreet relationship with Huang, is a creature of the NSW Right.

He joined the faction in his teens and owes everything he has achieved politically to the patronage and gift of the factional overlords in Sydney’s Sussex Street.

Huang was at the centre of the first time Dastyari had to resign from Labor’s extended front bench — he was more a technical member than someone who actually had any real power even though he had influence through his role as a political whisperer to Bill Shorten.

Last year, after Dastyari was exposed as having asked one of Huang’s entities to pay some travel expenses, it was revealed the Senator had appeared at a Chinese media news conference in Sydney where he contradicted Labor policy on the South China Sea.

Labor senator Sam Dastyari resigned from his parliamentary responsibilities following damaging reports about his dealings with Huang Xiangmo. (Pic: AAP)

“The Chinese integrity of its borders is a matter for China ... the best way of maintaining that relationship (with China) is knowing when it is and isn’t our place to be involved,” Dastyari said.

Labor’s policy is in line with that of the government which is to oppose Chinese activities in the South China Sea, even holding out the prospect of holding freedom of navigation and freedom of the skies exercises by our military.

Dastyari’s breach was clear for anyone to see. He claimed he sort of didn’t say it, arguing it was mumbled and indistinct.

This was shown to be a poor excuse this week with a recording of the news conference with a clear, easy to hear voice track.

Now Dastyari says he’s “shocked” to hear that what he actually said didn’t match his recollection. This is laughable.

Dastyari is one of many NSW Right wing figures who have in recent years developed a close relationship with the Chinese and its Communist regime in Beijing.

Former NSW Premier and Foreign Minister Bob Carr is the most prominent of these but there is a long list of Labor politicians, many of whom have accepted free trips to China and received campaign donations from entities linked to the Chinese government.

The NSW Right changes its favourite foreign powers regularly. Once very close to Israel, Carr and others have now shifted towards the Palestinians.

For decades the NSW Right has been cosy with the Americans, with many senior figures listed in US State Department cables released by Wikileaks as sources of political information.

This is a faction that too often places greater importance on being duchessed and praised by foreign powers.

It is part of a deeper, more benign problem.

Dennis Atkins is The Courier-Mail’s national affairs editor.