Chinese cash for major parties

AUSTRALIA’S major political parties have received almost $6 million from a shadowy “front” for the Chinese Government.

Parliamentary researchers have uncovered the extent of donations made by pro-Beijing figures in the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China.

In a confidential report obtained by News Corp, the council is classed as an “agent of the Chinese state” whose members are “covert conduits” for the Communist Party’s efforts to influence policy.

But the crackdown may not stop donations from some council members because they are Australian citizens.

Key figures including property billionaire Huang Xiangmo and another businessman combined to donate $2.6 million to the Labor Party and $3 million to the Liberal Party in recent years.

Labor MP Michael Danby, the secretary of the party’s national security and trade committee, said the council was acting “as a business front” for the Communist Party and the donations were part of a “well-funded and prolonged influence operation by Beijing”.

But the council dismissed the claims and said it was “unfortunate that some people continue to portray the Chinese community in a negative light to create division”.

Mr Danby said donations by council members appeared to be “directed by a foreign authoritarian power”.

The report said the council was overseen by the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department and had “opaque” financial arrangements.

“It may be the case that the wealthy business members and affiliates provide all funding, with the businessmen considering such funding as part of their ‘patriotic duty’,” it said.

The council said: “Whether or not individual members have ever donated to political parties or other causes is a matter for them.”