5.06pm EST
17:06
Labor senator Kimberley Kitching has used parliamentary privilege to suggest that a major donor to Australian political parties is the “puppeteer” of an alleged foreign interference plan linked to an election.
Asio chief Mike Burgess called the comments “unfair”, refusing to confirm or deny details related to the plot he outlined in a threat assessment to parliament last week, alleging an unnamed foreign national planned to support certain political candidates to be elected in an unspecified Australian election.
During Burgess’ appearance before a Senate estimates committee hearing on Monday, Kitching – under the protection of parliamentary privilege – named Chinese-Australian property developer Chau Chak Wing, who has previously been a major donor to both major parties.
I am reliably informed that the puppeteer mentioned in your case study in your annual threat assessment speech given last week is Chau Chak Wing.
I believe it to be Chau Chak Wing. Are you able to confirm that it is Chau Chak Wing?
Burgess refused to give further information, criticising Kitching for the question.
As I said before, I will not comment on speculation of who is or isn’t targets, and it’s unfair you ask me that question in public.
Burgess confirmed he held no concerns about any Labor candidates at the next federal election.
Updated
at 5.20pm EST
4.44pm EST
16:44
Kevin Rudd criticises government’s China rhetoric as ‘outrageous’
The former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd is doing an early morning Zoom press conference to hit back at the government over its “outrageous” rhetoric about China.
Rudd says what Peter Dutton is “asserting about the Australian Labor party and China is a bald-faced lie”. Rudd also accuses the Liberal party of hypocrisy on the issue.
Cue the video tape (yes, there is a video tape, which Rudd labels as “Peter Dutton’s home video collection”). His office has cut together clips of various Liberal party figures making statements – for example, supporting an extradition treaty with China, or questioning the Labor government’s ban on Huawei in the National Broadband Network.
Rudd says the 99-year lease of the Port of Darwin to a Chinese company is an “abrogation of the national interest”.
Updated
at 5.06pm EST
4.30pm EST
16:30
Morrison says ‘Jenny can speak for herself’ in response to 60 Minutes criticism
2GB’s Ben Fordham asks prime minister Scott Morrison about suggestions his wife, Jenny took the tough questions in that 60 Minutes special.
“Jenny’s amazing and she can speak for herself,” he says, adding that he’s addressed the questions, particularly about the Hawaii trip. He’s suggesting his responses got cut in favour of including Jenny.
Now it’s all chuckles about the ukulele playing. And Morrison says if people want to sneer at him for playing the uke and for cutting hair, those people are sneering at millions of Australians.
Updated
at 5.10pm EST
