Chinese Communist Party-linked donor Huang Xiangmo’s former adviser joins John Alexander’s team on Bennelong campaign
CHINESE Communist Party-linked donor Huang Xiangmo’s former adviser — who was present in the room when Labor’s Sam Dastyari warned Mr Huang his phone was under surveillance — has joined John Alexander’s campaign team in Bennelong.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
CHINESE Communist Party-linked donor Huang Xiangmo’s former adviser — who was present in the room when Labor’s Sam Dastyari warned Mr Xiangmo his phone was under surveillance — has joined John Alexander’s campaign team in Bennelong.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Tim Xu has been campaigning for Mr Alexander.
Mr Xu was Mr Huang’s adviser, confidante, interpreter and communications manager from March 2014 until August this year. Mr Xiangmo, a prominent political donor and Chairman of the Yuhu Group, has been accused of seeking to further the interests of the Chinese Communist Party in Australia.
He does not speak English and rarely went anywhere without Mr Xu.
There were four people present during the meeting when Senator Dastyari cut ties with Mr Xiangmo and advised him he was likely to be under surveillance because many believed he was a foreign agent.
One of those present was Mr Xu, The Daily Telegraph yesterday confirmed from two sources present.
“He was the witness in the room as Huang’s interpreter,” one source said.
The meeting took place over a cup of tea at Mr Xiangmo’s house.
Mr Xu left Mr Xiangmo’s employ in August. He has since been helping Mr Alexander campaign in the critical by-election of Bennelong, where the Labor candidate is former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally.
MORE: AYRES BLASTS CRITICS OF STADIUM REDEVELOPMENTS
MORE: ‘PROSTITUTES COULD RELIEVE SOLDIERS’ STRESS LEVELS’
On the weekend, Mr Xu was pictured wearing a John Alexander T-shirt handing out how to vote cards in Eastwood. Mr Alexander tweeted a picture standing next to Mr Xu and other campaigners, saying: “I’m in Eastwood with my wonderful volunteers”.
On the campaign trail
On Mr Xu’s LinkedIn site, it states: “In his current role with Yuhu Group, Tim is a trusted adviser and confidant to company leaders, including the chairman and CEO. This position requires discretion, sound judgment and the ability to solve complex problems.”
Mr Xu said his role at Yuhu included managing the “reputational interests” of the Mr Xiangmo.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said there could be a security investigation into Senator Dastyari’s links with Mr Xiangmo. A Liberal Party spokesman said: “This person is a private individual, and is not employed by the Yuhu Group.”