by Ganesh Sahathevan
Ray Hadley, NSW Liberal leader clash over ICAC’s power push
Mark Speakman has attacked NSW ICAC for what he claims is an abuse of power. Readers are however reminded that he was silent when ICAC failed to pursue Communist Party China linked Zhu Minshen's donations to Speakman's NSW Liberals, Zhu's business with the NSW LPAB and the exceptional grant of a license to Zhu to operate a law school,that followed those donations.
TO BE READ WITH
Thursday, November 25, 2021
NSW ICAC lost credibility when it failed to pursue Zhu Minshen donations to NSW Liberals, Zhu's business with the NSW LPAB & grant of law school license that followed donations
by Ganesh Sahathevan
NSW ICAC may not be a kangaroo court but it has only itself to blame for its loss of credibility.ICAC Commissioner Peter Hall QC decided not to pursue Zhu Minshen's poltical donations despite the evidence before him (see story below).
Zhu's donations to the NSW Liberal Party coincided with the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW LPAB)granting Zhu his " very unique" license to issue law degrees in NSW.The NSW LPAB comprised a number of senior judges, and is chaired by the Chief Justice NSW, Tom Bathurst QC AC..
TO BE READ WITH
Friday, September 6, 2019
Peter Hall QC and ICAC ignore former AG George Brandis in their determination to not call Minshen Zhu and Top Group
As previously reported on this blog:
ICAC's own documents show that Peter Hall QC is unduly concerned with Huang Xiangmo for many other donors were involved in that 15 March 2015 dinner that has become the subject matter of ICAC's "public inquiry into allegations concerning political donations".
Yuhu Group chairman Huang Xiangmo had been quoted in the Chinese media "complaining that Australian MPs were 'not delivering' on donations from the Chinese community"
These donations included money Dastyari and the ALP received from Minshen Zhu and his Top Group.
ICAC's own documents show that Zhu was a donor at that dinner. Zhu has also been reported to have made a political donation to Kogarah MP Chis Minns campaign, despite Minns having " no idea how the businessman, Top Education Group chief Minshen Zhu, came to nominate his campaign on the cheque, written on March 17 (2015)".
In ICAC's own words ,the general scope and purpose of the public inquiry is to gather evidence relevant to the allegation being investigated under section 13A of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988. This section addresses the ICAC’s function of investigating matters referred to it by the NSW Electoral Commission.
Given "the general scope" it is hard to see why Minshen Zhu is not being called as a witness.
END
SEE ALSO
Escalating criticism
- Top Education Institute — a company with links to Beijing through its principal Minshen Zhu — paid for an overspend on staff travel in Senator Dastyari's office.
- Senator Dastyari said the bill was $1,670.82, but Senator Brandis wants a receipt or other proof of the amount to be disclosed.
- Senator Brandis also wanted a dollar figure and receipt for another payment — a legal bill settled by the Yuhu Group.
- He said Yuhu Group chairman Huang Xiangmo had been quoted in the Chinese media "complaining that Australian MPs were 'not delivering' on donations from the Chinese community".
- Senator Brandis maintains in both cases that Senator Dastyari called on Chinese donors to pay personal debts, rather than donations.
- A day earlier, when the travel bill was first reported by Fairfax, Senator Dastyari gave a brief speech in Parliament saying in hindsight he should not have accepted the assistance with the travel bill, and that he would donate a commensurate amount to charity.
- Senator Brandis said that explanation was "woefully inadequate" and lasted for only 66 words.
- The Attorney-General also pointed to reports Senator Dastyari urged Australia to drop its opposition to China's air defence zone in the South China Sea.
- He also referred to a speech the senator made on March 17 2014, on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Senator Dastyari said he was presenting the "Chinese view".
- Senator Brandis further referred to an exchange in Senate Estimates on June 2, 2014. The former defence minister David Johnston said Senator Dastyari was asking sensitive questions about Australia's position on the South China Sea that were not "in the national interest".
By Sean Nicholls
However, a return lodged with the NSW Electoral Commission by Top Education states: "Cheque received by ALP but hasn't been banked yet."
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