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Acting PM Barnaby Joyce on ABC 730. Picture: Supplied
LEIGH Sales asked Barnaby Joyce to explain how a donation from Gina Rinehart to his election campaign was different to Sam Dastyari’s debt being paid by a Chinese donor.
The ABC 730 host wouldn’t let Mr Joyce avoid answering her question about how Ms Rinehart’s $50,000 donation to his 2013 election campaign was any different to the Labor Senator’s decision to accept $1670 from Chinese company Top Education Institute to pay off a travel debt.
Mr Joyce told Sales the difference was that the money went to a political party, not to him and it was “auditableâ€.
In Mr Dastyari’s case, he said he had taken the money for himself.
“The money goes to a political campaign, a party, it is auditable. What we have here is a direct cash payment to an individual by an entity closely associated with the Chinese Government and at the same time, so there’s definitely correlation — a substantive change to a policy, not even the policy of the Labor Party. It’s the policy of Sam Dastyari. Mr Shorten has to explain this,†he said.
Gina Rinehart with Barnaby Joyce back in 2013. Picture: News Corp AustraliaSource:News Limited
But when asked repeatedly about Ms Rinehart’s donation, Mr Joyce tried to avoid the question by saying other parties get donations as well.
“What do you think that you have to give her in response? Is it access? Why does she give that money? What does she expect?,†Sales asked.
“I’m asking you what you — do you think you have to take phone calls from people or attend functions? What do you think you have to do?â€
Mr Joyce finally replied, saying: “To be honest, Ms Rinehart, I haven’t had to give anything. They are strongly of the conservative side of politics. There’s no doubt about it. They support the conservative side of politics. They’re Australian. It goes via a political party. It’s auditable.â€
He then pushed on to blame Opposition leader Bill Shorten, saying the controversy surrounding Mr Dastyari proved Mr Shorten was not a leader.
“I think people are reflecting an absolute concern and it’s been brought to light by Senator Sam Dastyari receiving money that’s gone personally to him.
People want these questions answered and that’s why Mr Shorten should get out and answer them otherwise he’s not a leader,†he said.
ABC 730 host Leigh Sales grills Barnaby Joyce. Picture: SuppliedSource:Supplied
When asked if he thought foreign donations should be named, Mr Joyce said it was “well worth the discussionâ€.
“I’m happy to have the discussion. I won’t unilaterally answer that on behalf of all my Cabinet colleagues here tonight. Neither is the Labor Party because ... they’re not being upfront with you which is kind of a trend here we’re seeing with the Labor Party that they’re not being upfront. They don’t clearly answer the question,†he said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is under pressure to reform political donations amid revelations a Chinese donor paid a debt for Mr Dastyari. Both Mr Shorten and Greens leader Richard Di Natale have written to Mr Turnbull calling for his support to change the rules, including a ban on foreign donations.
Labor has promised to introduce legislation “as soon as practicable†to force disclosure of donations over $1000 — down from the current $13,200 — and ban donation splitting between branches of parties.
Senator Sam Dastyari speaks to the media in Sydney to make a public apology after asking a company with links to the Chinese Government to pay a incurred by his office. Picture: AFPSource:AFP
It also wants to prohibit anonymous contributions above $50 and stop foreign donations entirely.
“With the majority of Australians and the 226 senators and members of parliament in support of donation reform, it is paramount that you as prime minister support reform,†Mr Shorten wrote.
The Labor leader also requests support to ask a parliamentary committee to look into “real time†disclosure of political donations and whether limits should be imposed on candidate contributions.
Senator Di Natale also wrote to Mr Shorten, offering to work constructively with both parties to bring about changes.
It comes as Mr Dastyari faces mounting pressure to step aside over “cash for comment†allegations, insisting the opposition leader has not requested his resignation.
But while admitting he made a mistake asking a Chinese company linked to Beijing to pay off a personal travel debt, Mr Dastyari denies it influenced his stance on the dispute in the South China Sea.
Mr Shorten is standing by Mr Dastyari despite mounting pressure for his head over the $1600 payment and reports he said Australia should remain neutral and respect China in the territory dispute.