Daniel Andrews staffer’s China links spark concern
Premier Daniel Andrews has backed a China-linked staffer working in his electorate office, describing her contributions as “outstanding”. It comes after she shared COVID-19 conspiracy theories on social media.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of Premier Daniel Andrews’ electorate office staff has links to the Chinese Communist Party and recently posted a video on social media suggesting the coronavirus was created by the US.
Nancy Yang, who once worked in the Chinese consulate in Melbourne, has been working for Labor Party MPs since 2013.
The Herald Sun has confirmed Ms Yang is working in the Premier’s Mulgrave electorate office one day a week.
She also works in the office of backbencher Meng Tak, having previously been a staffer to former Clarinda MP Hong Lim.
Her position in Mr Andrews’ office has sparked widespread concern because of her links to the Chinese Communist Party and controversial views on the coronavirus crisis.
Ms Yang has posted links to conspiracy theories that claim the virus was created by the US and transported to China by the US Army.
She also founded and chaired a Melbourne-based United Front-linked group and is a committee member of the Chinese Community Council of Australia Victorian branch.
Amid concerns over her posts yesterday, Ms Yang shut down her social media presence.
But Mr Andrews backed Ms Yang, saying: “This young woman is making an outstanding contribution to her local community. We have no further comment.”
The Premier is also facing growing criticism over Victoria’s controversial Belt and Road deal with China.
In his Herald Sun column, former premier Jeff Kennett hits out at Mr Andrews for “secretly” getting involved with the project.
“Why has Andrews signed up to a foreign country’s political program, independent of national policy?” he asks.
Under the deal, first announced in 2018, Mr Andrews has committed to working with Beijing on its $1 trillion investments in port, railway and highway projects across the globe.
Victoria is the only federal, state or territory jurisdiction in the nation to sign up.
Mr Andrews yesterday maintained the deal was “all about jobs right here in Victoria”.
Chinese companies investing in projects such as the Metro Tunnel employed tens of thousands of local workers, he said.
Mr Andrews slammed federal Labor colleagues who were critical of the deal, telling parliament: “Some may be happy to take their orders from Canberra. I am not one of them.
“We are about the best possible relationship with our biggest customer. We are about 62 per cent more Victorian goods going to China today than at any point.”
Opposition leader Michael O’Brien questioned whether Ms Yang’s position in the Premier’s office was appropriate. “This is somebody who is a trusted member of this government’s staff, and they’re out there online peddling crackpot conspiracy theories,” he said.
“They’ve also been associated with United Front organisations, which is the propaganda vehicle for the Chinese Communist Party.
“You’ve got to ask yourself, how deep do the connections between the Chinese communist government and the Andrews Government go?”
RELATED NEWS
PREMIER’S CHINA DEAL CAUSES FRICTION WITHIN LABOR