Senate seeks the truth from Dastyari
THE Senate hauled Sam Dastyari up yesterday afternoon to account for his actions that led to Labor leader Bill Shorten sacking him the night before.
Senator Dastyari was forced to quit Labor’s frontbench but has continued to blame his “mischaracterisation of remarks” he made about the South China Sea dispute on a memory lapse.
Senator Dastyari said on Wednesday he was shocked by a leaked recording of his media conference in China that revealed what he said.
He choked back tears yesterday as he described the damage his dealings with Chinese political donors had on his family.
The Senate called on him to explain: the nature of his relationship with Mr Huang; the nature and value of all payments made to or on behalf of Sen Dastyari by Mr Huang or at his direction; and allegations he gave Mr Huang counter-surveillance advice by requesting they leave phones inside when they met at the businessman’s mansion late last year.
Mr Shorten told media in Adelaide yesterday, “I think Senator Dastyari, as best I can tell, and I believe this, has not broken any laws.”
“But he has exhibited poor judgment and I think everybody recognises that.”
He was satisfied Sen Dastyari was not a national security risk.
Sen Dastyari told the senate yesterday morning, “In June last year, I held a press conference where I made comments that were in breach of Labor Party policy. I have never denied this.
“The price I paid for that was high but appropriate.
“More recently, my characterisation of that press conference was called into question. A recent audio recording shocked me as it did not match my recollection of events.
“I take responsibility for the subsequent mischaracterisation.
“When a public official makes a statement that contradicts events there are consequences.”
After the Prime Minister called into question his allegiance on Wednesday over reports he told Mr Huang his phone might be monitored by Australian security agencies, Sen Dastyari said he was deeply hurt by suggestions he was anything but a patriotic Australian.