A Chinese language neighborhood chief accused of utilizing a $37,000 hospital donation to realize affect over the Australian authorities says he was solely making an attempt to cut back anti-Chinese language sentiment.
Prosecutors allege Di Sanh Duong, 67, made the donation to the Royal Melbourne hospital in 2020 as a strategy to intervene with a federal minister on behalf of the Chinese language Communist occasion.
Duong, a former member of the Liberal occasion, was charged with making ready for, or planning, international interference in November 2020 after an investigation by the Australian federal police and Asio.
Duong, the primary individual charged below Australia’s international interference legal guidelines, has denied the allegations in Melbourne magistrates court docket at a committal listening to.
The court docket was instructed Duong spoke to the previous federal minister Alan Tudge in Could 2020 after his neighborhood organisation raised $37,000 for the hospital.
He requested Tudge to attend an occasion handing over the hospital cheque as a strategy to acquire publicity for the donation, the court docket was instructed.
Defence barrister Neil Clelland QC instructed the court docket on Monday Duong wished to attract consideration to the fundraising effort solely to cut back rising anti-Chinese language sentiment in Australia.
Clelland referred to media releases from the state and federal governments in February and March 2020 about racist incidents towards individuals of Chinese language heritage.
In telephone intercept transcripts learn to the court docket, Duong and two associates spoke in March 2020 about elevating funds to buy about 20,000 face masks for the Australian authorities.
When Chinese language suppliers instructed the group the supply of the masks can be delayed till late Could, they as a substitute determined to offer the cash on to a Victorian hospital.
Duong’s organisation raised the funds as a strategy to give again to Australia and to point out that the Chinese language neighborhood cared, Clelland mentioned.
“There's a recurrent theme [in the conversations] to point out Australia that we’re good residents and we care,” he instructed the court docket.
The organisation had beforehand donated to Australian bushfire appeals and different causes, the court docket was instructed.
However an AFP informant, known as Witness Three, instructed the court docket Duong had ulterior motives.
“There’s nothing unlawful concerning the donations,” the witness mentioned of their proof. “However [Duong] used the donations to get entry to the minister.
“He has broad and deep connections to a international principal.”
Duong, the Liberal candidate for the seat of Richmond within the 1996 Victorian elections, resigned from the occasion after the costs in 2020.
He stays on bail. The committal listening to continues on Tuesday.
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