Labor frontbenchers Catherine King and Linda Burney turn on Senator Sam Dastyari
LABOR frontbenchers have broken ranks to put renewed pressure on their embattled colleague Sam Dastyari to consider his position in the Senate after a series of damaging revelations about his relationship with China.
NSW
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LABOR frontbenchers have broken ranks to put renewed pressure on their embattled colleague Sam Dastyari to consider his position in the Senate after a series of damaging revelations about his relationship with China.
The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday Mr Dastyari may have tried to pressure Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek into abandoning a visit to see Hong Kong activist Joseph Cheng Yu-shek in January 2015.
His office called the claims “complete rubbish”, but Labor’s human services spokeswoman Linda Burney yesterday said he should consider if he stays in the Senate.
“It is now up to Mr Dastyari to consider his position, and I’m sure that he’s doing that, but in relation to the continued role of Sam within the Parliament, that is a matter I think very much for Sam,” Ms Burney said.
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Her comments came as Labor’s health spokeswoman Catherine King made similar remarks: “Sam needs to reflect upon his position. I think that Bill’s made it very clear that he’s not going to be getting any promotions.”
There were earlier concerns at the number of questions Mr Dastyari asked during Senate estimate hearings relating to the South China Sea, and his relationship with donor Huang Xiangmo.