Results 1 to 24 of 24
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Chiang Mai
    Posts
    48,094

    US Eyeing Chinese Influence in Australian Politics

    SYDNEY —
    The United States has expressed concern about China's influence in Australia’s domestic politics and wants reforms to eliminate Beijing’s ability to use financial donations to influence Australian politicians.

    In an exclusive interview with the daily newspaper The Australian, departing U.S. Ambassador John Berry said he is worried about China's influence in Australia’s domestic politics. Berry said the United States objects to Beijing's ability to advance its interests by funding Australian politicians during an election campaign and said Washington was "surprised" at the extent of the involvement of the Chinese government in Australian politics.

    He said the United States hopes Canberra will protect Australia's "core responsibilities against undue influence from governments that do not share our values."

    The ambassador's comments follow the resignation of opposition Labor senator Sam Dastyari, who had asked a company connected to the Chinese government to pay part of a travel bill.

    The affair has prompted a widespread discussion about the influence that foreign financial donors are having on Australian lawmakers.

    Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, says even if there is no direct evidence that Chinese funds have swayed political decisions, his concern is that Australian policy on China has been amended to suit Beijing.

    “There is no doubt the Chinese government is interested in using its diaspora communities to lobby for Chinese interests. And I think we've seen that very recently over the South China Sea, where there was an intense campaign on the part of Beijing to try to get countries to moderate their reactions to the legal judgment that was brought down in the Hague a month or two ago,” said Jennings.

    Both major parties in Australia have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors with overseas interests. Members of the opposition Labor party and the Australian Greens believe now is the time to ban such practices.

    But former Australian prime minister John Howard believes that would be a bad move.

    “I certainly do not agree with the suggestion that we should further limit the amount people can contribute or companies contribute. Fundamentally it is an attack on freedom of political activity and expression,” said Howard.

    There have been attempts to regulate foreign donations. A Labor government introduced a bill to ban foreign donations to Parliament in 2010, but it never became law. Conservative government ministers have, so far, blocked a similar bill proposed by the Greens party, arguing there is no need for reform.

    China is Australia’s biggest trading partner, and its future prosperity depends, in large part, on a smooth relationship with Beijing. Australia, however, must balance its commercial ties with China with its longstanding military alliance with the United States.

    US Eyeing Chinese Influence in Australian Politics

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    BobR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Last Online
    19-03-2020 @ 02:26 AM
    Posts
    7,762
    Quote Originally Posted by misskit
    wants reforms to eliminate Beijing’s ability to use financial donations to influence Australian politicians.
    First let's limit the ability of corporations and wealthy donors to influence American politicians.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat CaptainNemo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Last Online
    18-07-2020 @ 11:25 PM
    Location
    in t' naughty lass
    Posts
    5,525
    Create a chaste priestly class who must give up all possesions - even their names...



  4. #4
    Thailand Expat
    mingmong's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Last Online
    04-04-2023 @ 10:03 PM
    Location
    Behind Soi Chiang noi
    Posts
    1,080
    Australia's a lot like Asia now, You can buy every thing from a Forklift ticket right up to Your Own politicians.

  5. #5
    5 4 Knoll
    david44's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    At Large
    Posts
    21,083
    Sino what you did last arvo

    Of course Pine Gap , Gough's sacking had nought to do with US influence

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last Online
    26-03-2024 @ 08:49 PM
    Location
    Where troubles melt like lemon drops
    Posts
    25,222
    Quote Originally Posted by BobR
    First let's limit the ability of corporations and wealthy donors to influence American politicians.
    Just set up a "Non profit foundation" seems to work OK for some too big to jail politicians.

    Quote Originally Posted by mingmong
    Australia's a lot like Asia now, You can buy every thing from a Forklift ticket right up to Your Own politicians.
    Keep on drinking the koolaid.

  7. #7
    In Uranus
    bsnub's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    30,429
    Quote Originally Posted by OhDOh
    drinking the koolaid.
    You already have that market cornered.

  8. #8
    god
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Bangladesh
    Posts
    28,210
    Foreign donations made to a nation's political parties/members are simply blatant efforts to interfere with and influence another country's internal politics, resulting in trade gains for the donor countries and losses to the receiving nation.

    The practice ought to be outlawed.

    If not, the resulting foreign influence on both domestic and foreign policies of the receiving nation may outweigh and undermine legitimate national cohesion and security.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last Online
    26-03-2024 @ 08:49 PM
    Location
    Where troubles melt like lemon drops
    Posts
    25,222
    Why not include "domestic" donations? Isn't that buying influence to set the agenda?

    How does one identify the source of the moneys, surely not just by the sources nationality? Or will the "local" donators be required to provide evidence of the source of their donations?

    Maybe the ban is solely aimed at any Chinese passport holder, I wish it would be made clearer, then the rules are obvious.
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  10. #10
    R.I.P.

    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Last Online
    02-09-2018 @ 07:55 PM
    Posts
    2,532
    A lot less harmful than influencing foreign governments with bombs

  11. #11
    god
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Bangladesh
    Posts
    28,210
    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Why not include "domestic" donations? Isn't that buying influence to set the agenda?

    How does one identify the source of the moneys, surely not just by the sources nationality? Or will the "local" donators be required to provide evidence of the source of their donations?

    Maybe the ban is solely aimed at any Chinese passport holder, I wish it would be made clearer, then the rules are obvious.
    The sources, pathways and recipients of international banking systems are easily traceable, providing that there is a will to do so.

    The Chinese influence has already been observed and noted, hence the need to curb foreign financial influence on domestic policies.

    Funds may be tracked back to donors via several forms of international money transfers and accounting systems.

    "Local" donors need to establish their bona fides also, according to current national rules and guidelines re. contributions to political parties.

    Of course, undeclared sums of 'anonymous' hard cash donations are almost untraceable, as untraceable as giving money to charities or to beggars, or to any stand-over merchant, ...protection money, gang funding, religious bodies, (incorporated societies) come to mind.

    The most ambitious psychopathic control freaks, ...top politicians...will lie and obfuscate and cheat to the best of their abilities, arguing freedom of speech and association, human rights,..the lot, to be able to dodge any legitimate enquiry into the sources of their funds.

    Accountants and lawyers grow rich on the scams that benefit political interests.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat terry57's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Last Online
    07-12-2022 @ 03:12 PM
    Posts
    26,746
    The diabolical part of this is that the Hi-So Chinese are rapping our real estate.

    The weak arsed Aussy Government just sell of our country to any slanty eyed tosser who has the big Dollars.

    The Chinese are loving it.

    It's a disgrace. At least Thailand has the brains to keep there land Thai-land.

  13. #13
    R.I.P.
    crackerjack101's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Last Online
    15-11-2020 @ 07:58 PM
    Posts
    5,574
    Quote Originally Posted by terry57
    At least Thailand has the brains to keep there land Thai-land.




  14. #14
    god
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Bangladesh
    Posts
    28,210
    Quote Originally Posted by terry57 View Post
    The diabolical part of this is that the Hi-So Chinese are rapping our real estate.

    The weak arsed Aussy Government just sell of our country to any slanty eyed tosser who has the big Dollars.

    The Chinese are loving it.

    It's a disgrace. At least Thailand has the brains to keep there land Thai-land.
    The Chinks are doing the same in NZ.

    Once upon a time in the glorious '70s, NZ land was only for sale to Kiwis.

    Then the Arabs and Japs forked in huge truckloads of money and bought up around lucrative prospects, Queenstown, etc.

    Then big Euro money walked in, with skills, leaving the average Kiwi running to the banks for lifetime mortgages to avoid dossing in sub-standard housing on an iffy rental basis.

    Pushed the price of real estate OTT.

    Then "refugees" walk in, suck welfare to the max and become the next max group per/capita intake to the prisons and nuthouses.

    All of them displaced persons.

    They are NOT in their right place.

    They need to get back to place of origin ASAP and continue their accustomed life style.

    They CANNOT continue their previous lifestyle in their new host countries without some serious adjustment to oncoming prospects.

    No sand-dunes, sprawling market places, the heat, resting, the regular cry of the imam, no direction known,.....except through the mosque and Salafist Islam.

    The host nations have to take a serious look at their refugee policies and mitigate against possible invasions of people, supposedly disposed, disenfranchised, who think that the west is either an enemy or, conversely, has the cure-all that they wish for.

    Both "refugees" and their recipients are deluded.

    Now anyone can buy land in NZ, you don't even have to be a resident, if you have a resident proxy company buying land for your mosque, funded by Saudi Arabia or Turkey.

  15. #15
    . Neverna's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    21,241
    What is the United States expressing concern about China's influence in Australia’s domestic politics doing if it isn't trying to influence Australia's domestic politics?

    Do as I say, not as I do.


  16. #16
    god
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Bangladesh
    Posts
    28,210
    Agreed.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
    BobR's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Last Online
    19-03-2020 @ 02:26 AM
    Posts
    7,762
    Quote Originally Posted by terry57
    It's a disgrace. At least Thailand has the brains to keep there land Thai-land.
    We habitually disparage the Thais for favoring their own and for xenophobia, maybe we, the ones who feel absolutely no loyalty whatsoever to each other are the wrong ones and the Thais have the right idea? (PS: serious comment for serious thought)

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last Online
    26-03-2024 @ 08:49 PM
    Location
    Where troubles melt like lemon drops
    Posts
    25,222
    Quote Originally Posted by Neverna
    What is the United States expressing concern about China's influence in Australia’s domestic politics
    The world's policeman has continued to live in it's colonial mind. Some have accomplished a few more steps on the evolutionary trail. Give then time they will adapt or die.

    Quote Originally Posted by BobR
    We habitually disparage the Thais for favoring their own


    One thing I remember, from my visits to the Throne Room at Windsor with Great Uncle George IV , was always publicly appear to listen to the people, whilst continuing the rape and pillage.

    One presumes the Thai leadership is in place to assist the Thais. As such leave to them. Some felangs here, as in other countries, are hosts for the locals to bleed dry.

    If it gets to difficult to live a reasonable life one quick note hand delivered by ones servant, to the Ambassador. Will deliver a gun boat to shell the Palace.







    On a positive note Chinese investors have been able to bid and win a share of the recent Melbourne Port auction. Nothing strategic about a container port, full of missile toting containers parked in the pre-customs clearance area, of course.

    https://www.rt.com/business/359854-a...lbourne-china/

    Last edited by OhOh; 20-09-2016 at 09:36 AM.

  19. #19
    In Uranus
    bsnub's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    30,429
    Quote Originally Posted by terry57
    The diabolical part of this is that the Hi-So Chinese are rapping our real estate.
    Quote Originally Posted by ENT
    The Chinks are doing the same in NZ. Once upon a time in the glorious '70s, NZ land was only for sale to Kiwis.
    They totally destroyed the real estate market in Vancouver BC to the point that the government there slapped a foreign investor tax on them. So now they are coming down into the US and doing the same thing here in Seattle and all along the west coast driving up the housing market.
    Last edited by bsnub; 20-09-2016 at 09:37 AM.

  20. #20
    god
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Bangladesh
    Posts
    28,210
    Funny how a communist country produced so many capitalists.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    38,456
    Realpolitik. One's largest export destination (by far), and quite likely these days largest foreign investor, does carry a certain sway, and a considerable vested interest, in domestic politics and foreign affairs. Lobbying and influence peddling necessarily follows.

    Given Australia's pronounced pro-US and anti-China (plus anyone else who the USA is anti) stance in foreign affairs, I have to say their influence thus far has been pretty benign really. But how long might this last? Plain fact is, China has enormous economic clout with Australia- it could send the nation bankrupt.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat
    jamescollister's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last Online
    29-06-2020 @ 09:33 PM
    Location
    Bunthrik Ubon
    Posts
    4,764
    Think people in OZ don't really understand, or more likely are not being told the truth about Chinese investment.

    These contracts the Australian government makes with China are secret, not for public view, but some bits always get out.

    Some allow China to use their own labor and not comply with Australian work place rules.
    Seen it myself, construction of a new prison, trucking contract given to a Chinese company, all the drivers were brought in from China.
    No minimum wage or health and safety rules applied to them, they lived in the trucks on a make shift camp site.
    Some or may be all the mining and farming deals allow Chinese workers to operate them.
    In Africa, last year a Chinese owned mine had security [Chinese] open fire on striking miners, not a good employer to work for.

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat
    reddog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Last Online
    Yesterday @ 08:42 PM
    Posts
    1,424
    Shanghai Sam Dastyari,the sleezy little Iran mussie refugee turned ALP senator was a powerbroker in NSW labor headquarters before he was a senator,only got caught out on a pissey expense $16oo bill he sent to a chinese backed company to pay for him,they already paid $40000 on a legal bill earlier.
    He should be up on treason charges,the Chinese govt was using him for influence,the ALP is rotten to the core, last ALP foreign minister, Carr is now head of a Chinese think tank at Sydney uni.
    Great to see the US ambassador called the Chinese soft diplomacy to attention,you cannot have politicians accepting money,especially foreign and think it is a gift.
    Hope now they will ban all foreign donations to political parties,when you have toleration
    governments like the chinese buying these sleezy senators.
    Has been a wake up call to the Chinese pull over OZ politics and land and asset buying.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Last Online
    26-03-2024 @ 08:49 PM
    Location
    Where troubles melt like lemon drops
    Posts
    25,222
    Quote Originally Posted by reddog
    Hope now they will ban all foreign donations to political parties
    I await the passing of the laws in both Australia and Ameristan, along with all countries who pass judgement on another countries marketing tactics. One hopes they also ban any "suspicious" additions to political fund raiser be they foreign or from "local" sources.

    Will they also ban to "movement" of ex-politicians into feather bedded positions for a period of say 10 years? Or will that reduce the number of political aspirants who see what the game and the progression path is?

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •