Nick Lalich: NSW Labor MP referred to Electoral Commission over trip to China

EXCLUSIVE: LABOR MP Nick Lalich referred to Electoral Commission, over a developer spending thousands on him for travel to China.

Local MP and Labor candidate for Cabramatta Nick Lalich / Picture: Ian Svegovic

CABRAMATTA Labor MP Nick Lalich has been referred to the NSW Electoral Commission by his leader, Luke Foley, after The Daily Telegraph inquired over a developer spending thousands on Mr Lalich for travel and accommodation for a trip to China.

Mr Foley told The Daily Telegraph last night he would send the matter to the Electoral Commission for “clarification” as to whether the 2013 gift was a donation, which could be illegal under electoral laws.

“I expect the highest standards of conduct from my MPs and take these allegations seriously,” Mr Foley said.

“In the interests of the party and to ensure trust in parliamentarians remains intact I have asked the member to refer the matter to the Electoral Commission for clarification.”

The trip to China in 2013 was with a Henry Ngai to “distribute hearing aids”.

But Mr Ngai also owns several development companies.

In his pecuniary interest register, Mr Lalich wrote: “At the invitation of Mr Henry Ngai, owner of the ABC Tissues Hearing Xpress, I travelled to China to assist him with distributing hearing aids to the underprivileged people in the province of Henan.

Cabramatta Labor MP Nick Lalich.

“Travel was undertaken from the 6th April 2014 to the 18th of April 2014.

“All airline travel costs were paid by ABC Tissue Hearing Xpress and accommodation was paid on a shared basis.”

A company search of Mr Ngai’s interests show that he has development companies based in NSW called New South Wales Properties Development Pty Ltd and Golden Property Pty Ltd.

Mr Ngai said he had attempted to develop in NSW but had yet to do so but had developed in Perth and Brisbane.

Mr Lalich said last night: “I complied with the regulations and declared on the public record that my expenses were paid by ABC Hearing Express when I volunteered in a personal capacity to help distribute hearing aids in China.

“As it was a charitable organisation and not a development company, I didn’t believe there was anything wrong in making the trip. However, in order to remove any doubt I have been asked by the Labor Leader to write to the NSW Electoral Commission asking them to clarify the matter.”

Mr Lalich said he had given “and fitted hundreds of hearing aids to underprivileged hearing-impaired children and adults in China.

“It was a very emotional and moving experience to be able to help these people.”

The issue comes on the heels of Federal Labor MP Sam Dastyari resigning from the frontbench over a donation from a Chinese company for travel in China, despite the donation being within the rules.

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