CANBERRA: An influential Australian opposition lawmaker under fire over his close links to wealthy Chinese political donors announced on Tuesday that he was quitting the Senate for the good of his party as the government moves against foreign interference in politics.

Sam Dastyari announced that he would quit as a senator for the centre-left Labour Party before Parliament next sits in February. The move comes after Cabinet Minister Peter Dutton on Monday described him as a “double agent” of China.

“I’ve been guided by my Labour values, which tell me that I should leave if my ongoing presence detracts from the pursuit of Labour’s mission,” Dastyari told reporters. “It is evident to me we are at that point, so I will spare the party any further distraction,” he added.

Dastyari refused to take questions from reporters.

The 34-year-old senator widely known as Shanghai Sam resigned from his leadership roles in Labour last month over scandals involving the wealthy Sydney-based Chinese businessman and political donor Huang Xiangmo that have raised accusations of China buying influence.

Australian security chiefs have advised against accepting political donations from Huang because of his suspected links to the Chinese Community Party.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2017