Chinese billionaire dismisses ‘threat’ claim and demands parties return $1.2m

A Chinese billionaire whose Australian residency has been revoked has hit out at intelligence agencies for claiming he is a “threat” and called on the Liberals and ALP to hand back $1.2 million he has donated to them.

A Chinese billionaire whose Australian residency has been revoked has hit out at intelligence agencies for claiming he is a “threat” and called on the Liberals and ALP to hand back $1.2 million he has donated to them.

Huang Xiangmo, who’s now stranded in Hong Kong unable to return to his $12.8 Mosman mansion, has also demanded an investigation into intelligence leaks about him, claiming they weakened national security.

Huang Xiangmo, who is now stranded in Hong Kong. Picture: Renee Nowytarger/The Australian

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In a detailed statement in Mr Huang’s name released on Australian Chinese online portal Yeeyi yesterday, the property developer says he never donated to political parties without being asked to by politicians or their operatives.

He donated at least $1.2 million to the Labor and Liberal parties between starting in 2012 and stopping in 2016 amid growing media attention. Yesterday he said the money should be returned so he could give it to charity.

Mr Huang, who vowed to return to Australia, claimed “ASIO documents” cleared him of violating Australian laws or regulations and that the decision to cut off his visa was not because of his political donations.

“It is profoundly disappointing to be treated in such a grotesquely unfair manner,” he said. “The decision of visa cancellation was made based on unfounded speculations that are prejudiced and groundless.”

Former Labor senator Sam Dastyari says he was courted by Mr Huang. Picture Gary Ramage

The sensational statement came after it was revealed Australian authorities rejected Mr Huang’s citizenship ­application and cancelled his permanent residency after years of political intrigue over his links to the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Also this week the NSW Labor Party put $100,000 in donations it received from a fundraising dinner connected to Mr Huang in “quarantine” over concerns the cash could be “tainted’ amid an ongoing ICAC probe.

Mr Huang’s statement was his first public comment since his residency was revoked.

“It is also pointed out in ASIO documents that my business and family ties to China could constitute threats,” Mr Huang said.

“In the age of globalisation, especially in Australia, a nation of immigrants, it is both common and normal to have overseas business and family ties. There are a large number of Australian companies in China, and the scale of their foreign investments far exceeds mine.

“It will be outright ridiculous to suspect that they are therefore amenable to being manipulated by a certain ­foreign government.”

Mr Huang’s main business ties to Sydney was the Yuhu Group which is currently investing $2.8 billion in a development at Circular Quay and the Gold Coast as well as a 21-storey residential tower in North Sydney. His son Jimmy has taken the reins of the business, which this week stressed Mr Huang was no longer involved.

In the statement, Mr Huang said the ASIO documents “question my business relationship, kinship, etc. in China may pose a threat.”

He said overseas business relations and kinship ties were common and normal in an immigrant country such as Australia.

Mr Huang said media reports about him were either a “fabrication” or those that quoted intelligence agency sources were a “grave security threat indeed”.

He called on intelligence agencies to investigate the leaks claiming it was the “only way to safeguard the national security of Australia”.

This week The Daily Telegraph revealed the inside story of Mr Huang’s tactics in dealing with then NSW Labor general secretary Sam Dastyari including lavish dinners.

Mr Dastyari, whose career was destroyed by his relationship with Mr Huang, said the billionaire built trust and respect in political circles with cash, links to business, donations to charities and his standing in the Chinese community.

But yesterday Mr Huang said he never donated to political parties without them “pleading” for him to do so and said his cash splash was not a reason for his visa ­cancellation.

“All donations related to myself were made at the request of the receiving political parties and their representatives as opposed to being proactive offerings,” he said.

Mr Huang with former foreign minister Bob Carr, and then NSW Premier Mike Baird.

“The only voluntary donations I’ve initiated were made to wonderful charity causes and these amounts far exceed my political donations.”

“The political donations I made years ago have not been part of the grounds established by ASIO.”

Mr Huang said if any donations were “deemed inappropriate” he welcomed his money being returned so he could pass it on to charity — and he wouldn’t even charge the political parties interest.

“If the relevant political parties and politicians really think that the donations they are asking for are not appropriate, I once again appeal to them that they can and should return them without paying any interest. I will transfer these donations to charities after receiving the refund.”

Mr Huang described his treatment as “grotesquely ­unfair”.

“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.”

He said he would keep in close contact with friends in Australia and planned to visit in future.

A Liberal Party spokesman said the government had taken action to protect the integrity of the electoral system by banning foreign political donations.