Hastie furthermore noted that Chau had “extensive contacts in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including the United Front.”
The Liberal MP explained to Parliament that Chau is a well-connected political donor in Australia, giving more than $4 million to both major political parties since 2004. He has also donated about $45 million to Australian universities.
Hastie accused Chau of attempting to silence Australian media from “telling the truth,” in reference to the defamation cases that Chau has brought against the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Fairfax.
“The Australian press has reported these matters and others and have been sued for defamation by CC-3. CC-3 disputes a number of the reported allegations,” Hastie said.
He added that he was concerned that the defamation cases can have a chilling effect on the media.
“Any attempt to silence our media from telling the truth—provided it is the truth—through a defamation claim cannot stand.”
In his speech, Hastie also accused the CCP of interfering in Australian politics and public debates.
“In Australia, it is clear that the Chinese Communist Party is working to covertly interfere with our media, our universities, and also influence our political processes and public debates.”
Chau has consistently disputed the allegations made against him.
His lawyers at Mark O’Brien Legal, who will represent Chau in a defamation case against Fairfax Media that will go to trial on June 12, told The Epoch Times: “Our client is very disappointed that an elected representative would use the cover of parliamentary privilege to repeat old claims and attack his reputation just weeks before some of these matters are tested in court.”
His legal team also said that Chau “is confident of being vindicated” after the defamation case hearing takes place.
Hastie said that although the FBI alleged that Chau was involved in the bribery of John Ashe, the United States government had previously not charged Chau for reasons “that are best undisclosed.”
But Hastie added that it was important for him to raise the matter because the matter “poses a threat to our democratic tradition, particularly the freedom of the press, and our national sovereignty.”
“They are in fact the subject of litigation currently in the Australian courts and for that reason, I don’t propose to say any more about them,” he said.
Turnbull also confirmed that he had consulted Australian intelligence agencies for advice on the implications on Hastie's speech.