Billionaire political donor hits out at ban

Billionaire Chinese political donor Huang Xiangmo says the millions of dollars he has given to both Liberal and Labor was solicited by the major political parties, and that the Australian government’s cancellation of his Australian residency was ‘‘grotesquely unfair’’.

Huang’s residency was cancelled and his citizenship application refused because of Australian security agency ASIO’s fears that he was peddling Beijing’s influence.

In a lengthy online rebuttal, Huang has verged on accusing the Australian government of racism and authoritarianism.

‘‘It is profoundly disappointing to be treated in such a grotesquely unfair manner,’’ he said.

‘‘The decision of visa cancellation was made based on unfounded speculations that are prejudiced and groundless.

‘‘This is not the Australia that I believe in, the Australia of freedom, democracy, rule-of-law and fairness, but I keep my faith in law and justice.’’

Huang, writing on the Chinese community website Yeeyi, dared the Liberal, Labor and National parties to return the donations he had made to them, and said they had actively sought the money.

‘‘All donations related to myself were made at the request of the receiving political parties and their representatives as opposed to being proactive offerings,’’ he said.

Huang is unable to return to Australia after his permanent residency was cancelled while he was overseas. He has been the subject of extensive interest to ASIO because of concerns that he has been a clandestine lobbyist in Australia for the Chinese Communist Party.

Of particular concern has been his connection with groups such as the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China, which is affiliated with Beijing’s United Front Work Department, a vehicle to push Beijing’s influence abroad.

Huang said the groups were merely dedicated to improving relations between China and Taiwan. – Fairfax