Senator to face probe over China

EMBATTLED senator Sam Dastyari’s career is “going nowhere fast”, his leader has declared as he faces a further parliamentary probe over his links with China.

But Labor leader Bill Shorten hit back at the Turnbull Government’s “Chinaphobic” attacks yesterday despite condemning Senator Dastyari’s poor judgment.

The NSW senator will be hauled before the powerful privileges committee in the new year to further explain his relationship with a wealthy Chinese political donor.

“I couldn’t have been more frustrated with his conduct,” Mr Shorten said.

“But what I’m not about to do is start saying that, because he exercised very poor judgment, is start joining into the Government’s Chinaphobia and try and say Sam Dastyari is a secret agent of the Chinese. That is complete rubbish.

“Sam Dastyari exercised poor judgment.

“His career is going nowhere fast.”

The one-time up-andcomer of the Labor Party has come under sustained political pressure after defending China’s policy on the South China Sea in defiance of his own party’s position, while flanked by billionaire political donor Huang Xiangmo.

He has denied ever having knowledge of security agency intelligence when he reportedly asked Mr Huang to leave his phone inside during a conversation at his house last year.

The parliamentary privileges committee will consider whether he held the Upper House in contempt by using his office to obtain benefits.

Attorney-General George Brandis yesterday accused Labor of a “corrupt culture” as he continued to heap pressure on Labor to force Senator Dastyari out of parliament.

Senator Brandis said he should realise the “game is up” and leave parliament.

“Sam Dastyari should go, his leader Mr Shorten has decided he is not fit to hold leadership positions in the Labor Party in the Senate, he was one of the managers for business in the Labor Party in the Senate, he has been sacked twice in less than 18 months,” Senator Brandis told ABC radio.