ICAC searching for files related to Chinese Friends of Labor dinner in raid of Labor headquarters

A dramatic corruption raid has raised fresh questions about NSW Labor’s links to Chinese donors after the party’s Sussex St headquarters were searched on Tuesday just three months out from the state election, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

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A dramatic corruption raid has raised fresh questions about NSW Labor’s links to Chinese donors after the party’s Sussex St headquarters were searched on Tuesday just three months out from the state election.

It’s understood Independent Commission Against Corruption investigators were looking for files relating to the Chinese Friends of Labor fundraising dinner in 2015 — an annual fundraiser which in that year was held two weeks before the last election.

Exclusive data obtained by The Daily Telegraph shows Chinese Friends of Labor spent $36,700 on advertisements campaigning in the 2011 election — making it the sixth biggest spending lobby group in the state for that campaign.

It’s understood ICAC were searching Labor headquarters for files relating to a Chinese fundraising dinner dating back to 2015.

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In 2015, it was not listed in the registered third party campaigners’ document.

The Chinese Friends of Labor dinner in question was organised by upper house MP Ernest Wong who was this year rolled by his party from the preselection ticket.

Mr Wong was in Hong Kong on Tuesday and told The Daily Telegraph he had just been released from hospital with a viral vocal infection.

Asked about the ICAC raids he replied via text message: “I have no idea until I get back in Sydney”.

The Chinese Friends of Labor dinner is a significant event on the party’s fundraising calendar, with former state leader Luke Foley and current federal leader Bill Shorten guests of honour and speakers at the 2015 dinner in question.

Also present at the dinner were a suite of current Labor MPs — state MPs Adam Searle, Chris Minns, Shaoquett Moselmane, Tania Mihailuk and Jo Haylen as well as federal frontbencher Chris Bowen. It’s understood there were about 650 people at the dinner.

Upper house MP Ernest Wong organised the fundraiser.

A number of MPs were present at the dinner including Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

In 2014 the same event — also hosted by Mr Wong — attracted Labor luminary Bob Hawke and was also attended by former Labor senator and ex-NSW General Secretary Sam Dastyari, current state leader Michael Daley, Mr Minns and Mr Moselmane.

Tickets for last year’s event at a Haymarket Chinese restaurant ranged from $99 to $2500 for a “VIP” table of 10.

Mr Dastyari supported Mr Wong’s appointment to the upper house in 2013 and in 2014 praised Mr Wong for a “fantastic Chinese Friends of Labor launch for the 2015 state election”.

Disgraced former senator Sam Dastyari had praised Mr Wong for the “fantastic” launch. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Mr Wong and Mr Dastyari have had ties to Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo — a past major political donor to both major parties.

The Daily Telegraph was told Mr Huang ceased all donations in July 2016 and it’s understood he had no knowledge of the events that unfolded on Tuesday.

Mr Dastyari was forced to resign in 2017 over his own links with the Chinese community. The Daily Telegraph is not suggesting wrongdoing by any of those who attending the dinners.

NSW Labor said last night it was aware of coverage of a “historic political donations matter”.

The headquarters of the NSW Labor Party headquarters in Sydney were raided on Tuesday.

“The donations in question were received in 2015 and have been fully investigated by the NSW Electoral Commission with the full co-operation of NSW Labor, including the provision of all relevant documents,” the party said in a statement.

Mr Daley refused to comment about the raid at the party’s headquarters (inset).

ALP officials and federal MPs were in Adelaide at the party conference at the time.

NSW Special Minister of State Anthony Roberts said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on matters before the ICAC, however it’s clear NSW Labor and their leader have some explaining to do.”