Australian MP quits over donations scrutiny

AN AUSTRALIAN MP has quit over revelations that he adopted pro-china positions after accepting donations from a wealthy Chinese property developer linked to the Communist Party.

Sam Dastyari, a power broker in the opposition Labor Party, came under pressure after it emerged he warned Huang Xiangmo, a billionaire donor, that his phone was being bugged by Australian intelligence officials.

Mr Dastyari was also accused of urging Tanya Plibersek, a Labor MP, not to meet with a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong. Announcing his resignation, Mr Dastyari, who was born in Iran, said he was concerned that the scandal was causing damage to Labor.

“After much reflection, I’ve decided that the best service I can render to the Labor Party is to not return to the senate in 2018,” he said.

Bill Shorten, the Labor leader, said: “He’s exhibited very poor judgment and he’s now paying the price.”