Can You Help?

This website is in imminent danger of being shut down. It has been online since 1995, but the personal circumstances of the owner, Malcolm Farnsworth, are such that economies have to be made. Server costs and suchlike have become prohibitive. At the urging of people online, I have agreed to see if Patreon provides a solution. More information is available at the Patreon website. If you are able to contribute even $1.00/month to keep the site running, please click the Patreon button below.


Become a Patron!


Dastyari Apologises, Regrets Actions: Unimpressive Media Conference

Labor Senator Sam Dastyari today regretted and apologised for his actions in seeking payment of an electorate office bill from a foreign company.

Dastyari

Dastyari, 33, sought payment of $1,670.82 of an electorate office travel expenses bill from the Chinese company Top Education Institute. He declared the payment on his pecuniary interest register.

Speaking for 24 minutes at an outdoor media conference in Sydney, Dastyari, said he didn’t “reflect” on his actions at the time. He evaded all questions on why he asked the company and did not explain his relationship with the company.

Dastyari also refused to deal directly with statements he has made about China’s claims on islands in the South China Sea. Instead, he suggested he may have “mis-spoken” but insisted he supported ALP policy on the issue. He denied he adopted a pro-China position to appease Chinese donors to the ALP.

Earlier today, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten accused Prime Minister Turnbull of “petty attacks” on “a junior senator from NSW”.

By sticking to his prepared lines today, the junior senator did not impress. Whether he has drawn a line under the issue remains to be seen.

  • Listen to Dastyari (23m)
  • Watch Dastyari (23m)
Print Friendly, PDF & Email