Leader of The Opposition Anthony Albanese [WHAT HAPPENED TO SETKA?] has been quick to shut down the growing suspicions that surrounds the Australian Labor Party’s legally grey relationship with both the Chinese government and prominent Chinese billionaires.

This follows revelations that the Chinese developer behind the multi-billion-dollar Gold Coast Jewel and One Circular Quay projects, Huang Xiangmo, handed over $100,000 in cash to former NSW Labor party boss Jamie Clements during a private meeting at his office, a corruption inquiry has heard.

Albanese, or Ni Halbo as he is known in the alleyways of Haymarket, has dismissed all claims that his party is basically a wishing well for Chinese dollars.

“No way…” says Albo, between slurps from his Lychee Bubble Tea.

“Not us. We aren’t in bed with the Chinese”

Albo briefly choked up while trying to swallow a black pearl that had been caught in his windpipe, before continuing the press conference.

“Well.. Except for Dasher [former Federal Senator Sam Dastyari] hahaha”

“But that was a one-off. It’s not like Sam was a big deal within the party or anything’

The NSW anti-corruption watchdog – The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) conducted its first public hearing of a six-week-long inquiry into allegations concerning political donations yesterday.

ICAC will investigate if the state Labor party bent donation rules and laundered up to $100,000 in suss donations during a secret 2015 Labor Party fundraiser in Sydney’s Chinatown.

Then-Labor leaders Bill Shorten (federal) and Luke Foley (NSW) were there, along with federal shadow treasurer Chris Bowen.

NSW Labor has “quarantined” the $100,000 until the investigation is complete – however Federal Labor is enacting the old Harriet Wran defence, by stating that yes, they were there, but they didn’t have anything to do with anything.

https://www.betootaadvocate.com/headlines/albo-dismisses-accusations-of-chinese-influence-over-alp-between-slurps-of-lychee-bubble-tea/?goal=0_ac916ebeb2-767587795a-215844141&mc_cid=767587795a&mc_eid=1b8d058525

What does Eddie Obeid have to say?

Hey, KKQuota - Eddie's old mate - has an idea!

The ALP needs to "move it's office" from Sussex Street, to "change the culture" ... 

She fair dinkum said that the racist moron ... nothing about refusing the cash of course!!!

Hey, maybe they could just outsource the whole ALP operation to a call centre in Sha Tin ... cut out the middleman!!! 

Oh dear ... you couldn't possibly make this gelati up!

ALL OF PT's BEST PEOPLE TOO!!!

Former Labor senator Sam Dastyari has told a corruption inquiry that billionaire Huang Xiangmo may have been an “agent of influence” for the Chinese government.

An Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry has heard Mr Huang, who has been barred from Australia, allegedly dropped $100,000 cash to NSW Labor headquarters in 2015.

Sam Dastyari arrives on a Lime bike to give evidence at the inquiry into alleged illegal donations to the Labor Party.CREDIT:RENEE NOWYTARGER

In private evidence provided to the commission last week that was suppressed until Thursday, Mr Dastyari said he believed the powerful Chinese property developer and major political donor may have been working to influence Australian politics.

“In hindsight, I now have serious questions about whether or not he was, either directly or indirectly, an agent of influence for the Chinese Government,” Mr Dastyari said.He was a very big donor, probably outside the trade union movement, the biggest donor.”

Mr Dastyari, who was forced to resign from federal politics over his connection to Mr Huang in 2017, said NSW party boss Kaila Murnain revealed to him in 2016 that she had concerns about Mr Huang and the suspect donations.

Ms Murnain, 32, revealed to the ICAC on Wednesday she had been told by then-MP Ernest Wong that Mr Huang had illegally donated to the party in 2015.

Ms Murnain, who was suspended as general secretary by the Labor Party on Wednesday night for her involvement in the scandal, cried as she gave evidence on Thursday.Ms Murnain agreed that she should have told the NSW Electoral Commission everything about the suspect donation when they were investigating in late 2016.

“I was scared for the office and the reputation of the party and doing my best to make sure that I followed that advice and I obviously recognise now that’s something I shouldn’t have done and I should have made different decisions,” Ms Murnain said.

She said she confided in Mr Dastyari on the same day she was told of Mr Huang’s involvement.

While the timing of the pair’s meeting was subject to scrutiny, Mr Dastyari agreed he met with Ms Murnain on the evening of September 16, 2016, where he told her to “cover your arse” and get immediate help from lawyers as he drove her around the city.

“Kaila was gelatiting herself, right? She was very distressed, she was very upset, she was very, you know, she’s not in a great state …” he said.Mr Dastyari, who had previously held the position of NSW Labor general secretary, was adamant Ms Murnain said Mr Huang had been involved.