Australian MP Gladys Liu accused of failing to declare US$30,000 donation as scandal over Chinese links grows
- Hong Kong-born politician is under fire for failing to disclose her membership of Chinese government-linked associations
- Accusations have sparked debate over challenges facing Chinese-Australians amid ‘hyper-anxiety’ over China
On Friday the controversy around the member for Chisholm grew after the Herald Sun reported that Liu had failed to file a return declaring a A$39,675 (US$29,500) donation to the Victorian Liberal party in 2015-16.
Liu is under fire for failing to disclose her membership of Chinese government-linked associations before her preselection to the Liberal party.
On Thursday the former president of the Victorian Liberal party, Michael Kroger, rejected suggestions the party had been warned by security agencies that it would be “unwise” for her to run for parliament.
The former Labor foreign minister and now chancellor of the Australian National University, Gareth Evans, has also criticised the level and tone of media coverage around the issue, describing it as a symptom of “hyper-anxiety” about China.
