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Labor's Tony Burke made two free trips to China with lobby firm last year Labor's Tony Burke made two free trips to China with lobby firm last year
(about 20 hours later)
Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has taken two free trips to China since last October to visit childcare centres built by a Chinese company run by businessmen and former political donors Ian Tang and Anthony Chan.Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has taken two free trips to China since last October to visit childcare centres built by a Chinese company run by businessmen and former political donors Ian Tang and Anthony Chan.
Tang, Chan and the former deputy prime minister and Nationals MP Mark Vaile are the three directors of 123 AustChina Education Consultancy, which according to its website is operating and setting up child care centres across China. Vaile is also chairman of the company. Tang, Chan and the former deputy prime minister and Nationals MP Mark Vaile are the three directors of 123 AustChina Education Consultancy, which according to its website is operating and setting up childcare centres across China. Vaile is also chairman of the company.
Soon after it won government in 2007, Labor came under intense pressure over free travel that senior figures – including Burke and the then prime minister Kevin Rudd – had accepted from companies associated with Tang and other Chinese business figures while in opposition. Soon after it won government in 2007, Labor came under intense pressure over free travel that senior figures – including Burke and the then prime minister, Kevin Rudd – had accepted from companies associated with Tang and other Chinese business figures while in opposition.
From 10-17 October last year, Kazaru Pty, a company owned by lobbyist and former Labor minister Nick Bolkus, paid for a trip by Burke to Beijing and Shanghai including air fares, accommodation and ground transport. Guardian Australia understands the trip was for Burke to open a 123 AustChina centre. From 10-17 October last year, Kazaru Pty, a company owned by the lobbyist and former Labor minister Nick Bolkus, paid for a trip by Burke to Beijing and Shanghai including airfares, accommodation and ground transport. Guardian Australia understands the trip was for Burke to open a 123 AustChina centre.
From 6-13 July this year Kazaru paid for Burke to travel to China again, but this time transfers and accommodation were provided by 123 childcare.From 6-13 July this year Kazaru paid for Burke to travel to China again, but this time transfers and accommodation were provided by 123 childcare.
A spokesman for Burke said it was “a private trip involving no taxpayer funds and has been appropriately declared on Mr Burke’s register of interests.” A spokesman for Burke said it was “a private trip involving no taxpayer funds and has been appropriately declared on Mr Burke’s register of interests”.
“There are a series of childcare centres involving Australian investment in Shanghai and Beijing and Mr Burke visited established and developing sites in both cities,” he said.“There are a series of childcare centres involving Australian investment in Shanghai and Beijing and Mr Burke visited established and developing sites in both cities,” he said.
123 AustChina also lists on its website as a “partner” organisation called Shimau Property Holdings, the company of Chinese-born Australian citizen and billionaire property developer Hui Wing Mau.123 AustChina also lists on its website as a “partner” organisation called Shimau Property Holdings, the company of Chinese-born Australian citizen and billionaire property developer Hui Wing Mau.
Tang’s telecommunications company, BeijingAust China Technology, paid for 16 visits by ALP politicians to China during the Howard government years, including Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan and multiple trips by Burke.Tang’s telecommunications company, BeijingAust China Technology, paid for 16 visits by ALP politicians to China during the Howard government years, including Kevin Rudd, Wayne Swan and multiple trips by Burke.
Tang has connections on both sides of politics. He is on the board of the Australia China Chamber of Commerce, and the biography on its website says that in 2010 he and “his partners from Australia and Hong Kong founded the 123 AustChina Education Consultancy (Beijing) Company Ltd, which specializes in early childhood education, especially in the operation and investment of international standard kindergartens in China. The 123 Group traces its roots to Australia through its former co-operation with ABC Learning Centres, previously the largest kindergarten operator in the world.” Tang has connections on both sides of politics. He is on the board of the Australia China Chamber of Commerce, and the biography on its website says that in 2010 he and “his partners from Australia and Hong Kong founded the 123 AustChina Education Consultancy (Beijing) Company Ltd, which specialises in early childhood education, especially in the operation and investment of international standard kindergartens in China. The 123 Group traces its roots to Australia through its former cooperation with ABC Learning Centres, previously the largest kindergarten operator in the world.”
ABC Learning went into voluntary liquidation in 2008.ABC Learning went into voluntary liquidation in 2008.
As manager of opposition business in the House of Representatives, Burke leads Labor’s political attacks against the government. But independent MP Andrew Wilkie has also raised questions recently about some of Burke’s travel claims, which Burke insists are within entitlements. As manager of opposition business in the House of Representatives, Burke leads Labor’s political attacks against the government. But the independent MP Andrew Wilkie has also raised questions recently about some of Burke’s travel claims, which Burke insists are within entitlements.
The government has set up a “root and branch” review of the rules governing publicly-funded travel entitlements after speaker Bronwyn Bishop was forced to resign after an ongoing controversy over her claims - including a $5,200 helicopter ride. The government has set up a “root and branch” review of the rules governing publicly funded travel entitlements after the Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop, was forced to resign after an ongoing controversy over her claims – including a $5,200 helicopter ride.