Richard Di Natale (Victoria, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Leader of the Government in the Senate, representing the Prime Minister. Malcolm Turnbull reportedly hinted at a probe into Labor senator Sam Dastyari's dealing with businessman Huang Xiangmo, someone who intelligence experts believe was, until recently, part of a global campaign run by the Chinese Communist Party to advance China's political interests overseas. Since 2012, Mr Huang has donated almost $3 million to both sides of politics. But, importantly, on 27 September 2017, some two years after ASIO had briefed both the Liberal and Labor parties about the threat of taking donations from Mr Huang, an amended return was lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission by the New South Wales Liberal Party which revealed a $44,000 payment from Mr Huang. Minister, what was the purpose of this payment, and, given the Prime Minister's concerns, will you now commit to repaying the money?