Dastyari saddles up for showdown
FORMER ALP senator Sam Dastyari arrived on a share bike to give evidence at the ICAC probe into suspect donations to NSW Labor.
Mr Dastyari — a former state party general secretary — was drawn into in the scandal this week by now-suspended Labor boss Kaila Murnain, who said he advised her in 2016 to tell the party’s lawyers about the potential “straw” donations.
The disgraced ex-politician, who was forced out of Parliament over his own Chinese connections, arrived at the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Sydney yesterday on a share bike.
Mr Dastyari spoke to reporters while gesturing wildly with his bicycle helmet, which he twice took off and put on again.
“I’ve always given Kaila what I thought was the best, frankest and fearless advice,” he said, adding the inquiry had revealed the “insidious nature of donations”.
He said he felt “empathy” for Ms Murnain before assuring the gathered reporters he would front the media again after giving his evidence.
“I spent a lifetime running towards cameras — I’m not about to run away from them now,” he said.
Mr Dastyari then walked into the ICAC headquarters.
He subsequently told the inquiry: “I very strongly, forcefully gave the advice (to Ms Murnain) that you need to see the lawyers.”
The commission is examining whether Huang Xiangmo — who is now banned from Australia — was the true source of $100,000 said to be donated by 12 people at a 2015 Chinese Friends of Labor dinner.
I spent a lifetime running towards cameras — I’m not about to run away from them now
SAM DASTYARI