Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Hastie on foreign influence, security and veteran mental health
In this podcast, Andrew Hastie speaks with Michelle Grattan about growing concerns over Chinese influence in Australian politics, security clearances for politicians and the mental health of veterans.
The alleged attempted penetration of federal parliament is significant, given (if true) its deep implication for Australia’s democratic system.
Lukas Coch/AAP
By (very unusually) confirming the investigation, ASIO boss Mike Burgess gives credibility to the Nine story that made the claim.
Some of Watts’ ancestors were deeply rooted in the old attitudes of “white Australia”, while his wife is from Hong Kong, and his children Eurasian-Australian.
Erik Anderson/AAP
Tim Watts on Australia’s changing identity
The Conversation, CC BY37.7 MB(download)
Tim Watts joins Michelle Grattan to discuss his new book, The Golden Country, in which he reconciles his family's past and present, and explores the question of what it means to be Australian.
According to new research, discrimination against Asian-Australians is widespread. The way we talk about China is part of the problem.
Erik Anderson/AAP
As the rhetoric around Chinese interference in Australia intensifies – most recently with the Gladys Liu allegations – Chinese-Australians have become ‘collateral damage’.
Sinodinos warns about dangers for democracy and science posed by a polarised media.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Arthur Sinodinos with some reflections and advice
The Conversation, CC BY32.9 MB(download)
As Arthur Sinodinos prepares to leave the Senate for his new role as Australian ambassador to the US, he sits with Michelle Grattan to reflect on his time in politics.
Liberal MP Gladys Liu has beeb the centre of much heated debate in federal politics this week.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Another stormy week in federal parliament has seen debate around Gladys Liu’s alleged links to China and the ethics of the government’s push to drug-test Newstart recipients.
There are legitimate questions about Liu’s past connections to associations with direct or indirect links with the Chinese Communist Party.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Liu’s disastrous interview on Sky News forced the government into a full scale defence of her, saying that Labor, in pursuing her, was being “xenophobic” and “grubby”.
Liu won the marginal seat of Chisholm at the May election, making history as the first female Chinese-Australian MP.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
Following a politically disastrous interview, Liberal MP Gladys Liu has issued a statement strongly proclaiming her loyalty to Australia and her support for the government’s policy on China.
Liu denies having ties to the Chinese Communist Party, but she is closely connected with a number of United Front organisations in Australia.
Lukas Coch/AAP
With serious questions being raised about Liu’s possible links to United Front organisations in Australia, a dark cloud could continue to hang over both her and the Liberal Party.
According to the ABC, newly elected MP Gladys Liu is tied to an organisation that’s part of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front, which exerts influence among the Chinese diaspora.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
United Front’s mission is to unite those who can help the Communist Party achieve its goals and neutralise its critics. This includes many influential members of the Chinese diaspora.