Beijing AustChina Technology
From Lobbyocracy.org.au
In March 2008 it was revealed that senior federal Labor minsters, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Treasurer Wayne Swan and Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke to take seven business class trips, mostly to China, over the past four years, all paid for by the Beijing AustChina Technology company. Backbenchers Bernie Ripoll and Kim Wilkie also had overseas trips paid for by Beijing AustChina Technology. Beijing AustChina Technology is Australia's fourth biggest corporate political donor.[1][1][1]
The company may also be among the most generous provider of travel junkets to senior politicians. They have provided funding for trips to Manila by Tony Burke and trips to Beijing and Hong Kong taken by Wayne Swan.[1]
Rudd and Swan have both been the recipients of the company's owner Ian Tang's hospitality and have held meetings with the businessman since November, when Labor won power. Swan met Tang in February 2008 and Rudd in November 2007, the month it won the 2007 federal election.[1]
The company's website claims that is is an agent for a few telco equipment companies and has an annual turnover of $6 million with the business address pointing to a residential address in Warriewood, North Sydney, a "$1 company".[1]
Ian Tang, who went with Rudd and Swan to a trip to China in 2004 is behind a $1.3 billion property development backed by Stanley Ho. Ian Tang was also appointed an honorary Sydney ambassador by Morris Iemma. [1]
On of the trips paid for by Beijing AustChina Technology in 2006 was a trip by Kevin Rudd to the US, the UK and China, and included a stop in Darfur. PR company Parker and Partners Public Affairs were hired to handle the issue and ensured that Kevin Rudd also received a bottle of Grange. Rudd has claimed that the trip to Darfur was "hosted" by World Vision which World Vision have said was limited to Kevin Rudd speaking to Tim Costello before and after the trip, and meeting World Vision program officers while there.[1]
Stephen Smith also met with AustChina while on a visit to China paid for by Zhou Zerong and the Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce.[1]
Links to the Nationals
In August 2007 Ian Tang spent $55,000 on a gala dinner at the Nationals' conference, when he dined with party leaders and corporate heavyweights.[1]
Beijing AustChina Technology "sponsored" the event in addition to the $99,980 donation they made shortly before the 2007 federal election.[1]
Donations
In 2006/07 Beijing AustChina Technology donated
- $154,980.00 to the National Party
- $158,000 to the Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch)
In 2004/05 Beijing AustChina Technology donated
- $8,750 to the Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch)
In 2003/04 Beijing AustChina Technology donated
- $5,000 to the Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch)
