'Grotesquely unfair': billionaire donor Huang hits back

Billionaire Chinese political donor Huang Xiangmo says the millions of dollars he’s given to both Liberal and Labor was solicited by the major political parties, and he insists the government's cancellation of his Australian residency was “grotesquely unfair”.

The Age and Sydney Morning Herald revealed this week his residency had been cancelled and his citizenship application refused because of ASIO’s fear he was peddling Beijing’s influence.

Sam Dastyari's mishandling of his relationship with Huang Xiangmo ultimately cost him his job as a senator.

In a lengthy online rebuttal, Mr Huang has verged on accusing the Australian government of racism and authoritarianism.

“It is profoundly disappointing to be treated in such a grotesquely unfair manner,” he said.

“The decision of visa cancellation was made based on unfounded speculations that are prejudiced and groundless.

“This is not the Australia that I believe in, the Australia of freedom, democracy, rule-of-law and fairness, but I keep my faith in law and justice.”

Mr Huang, writing on the Chinese community website Yeeyi, dared the Liberal, Labor and National parties to return the donations he’d made to them and said they had actively sought the money.

“All donations related to myself were made at the request of the receiving political parties and their representatives as opposed to being proactive offerings,” he said.

Mr Huang is unable to return to Australia after his permanent residency was cancelled while he was overseas. He has been the subject of extensive interest to Australia’s security agency ASIO because of concerns he has been a clandestine lobbyist in Australia for the Chinese Communist Party.

Of particular concern has been his connection with groups such as the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China, which is affiliated with Beijing’s United Front Work Department, a vehicle to push Beijing’s influence abroad that has thrived under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

Mr Huang said in his written statement that membership of these groups was ASIO’s “key allegation” against him. However, he said the groups were in fact merely dedicated to improving relations between China and Taiwan, and were consistent with Australia’s own “One China” foreign policy.

“No Australian government agency, including ASIO, has ever raised any objections in this regard,” he said.

It would breach Australia’s principles of “cultural diversity and freedom of speech” to penalise him for these views, he said.

Mr Huang said “ASIO documents” also stated his business and family ties in China could constitute threats. But he said in the “age of globalisation”, such overseas ties were normal and it would be “outright ridiculous” to assume they made him susceptible to manipulation by Beijing.

Huang Xiangmo is a prolific political donor and his $1.8 donation founded the Australia-China Relations Institute.Credit: Ryan Stuart

He demanded ASIO explain whether it had leaked material about him to the media and called on the government to investigate.

He vowed to return to Australia, saying he would “visit … at the appropriate time with the suitable identification”.