Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeMainMinister’s secret China visit probed

Minister’s secret China visit probed

Federal Minister Stuart Robert is under fire for a secret visit to Beijing where he joined his millionaire friend Paul Marks to secure a business deal between Mr Marks’ Nimrod Resources and the Chinese Government-owned Minmetals. Over the past two years, Mr Marks has donated $2 million to the Liberal Party.

At the time of his visit, Mr Robert held the positon of Assistant Defence Minister. A statement and photos on the Minmetal website claims that Mr Robert spoke in China “on behalf of the Australian Department of Defence”. While he was there, he also presented a letter and a medal on behalf of the then Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Mr Turnbull said yesterday: “The Minister travelled to China in August 2014 while on personal leave. His personal leave was approved on behalf of the prime minister at the time, in accordance with the usual procedures.”

Mr Robert has sent a letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that said he was ‘confident’ that no rules of integrity had been breached during his visit. Mr Turnbull has ordered a “thorough” investigation of Mr Robert’s trip to China.

It was also revealed that Mr Robert accepted two designer watches from a Chinese firm by the name of Liguancheng Group. After discovering the watches were genuine, he sought advice from the Clerk on entitlements. Even after confirmation from the Clerk that he could keep the watches, he decided to return them.

Read more from www.afr.com
Read more from www.heraldsun.com.au
Read more from www.abc.net.au

Drew Patchell
Drew Patchell
Drew Patchell was the Digital Operations Manager of YourLifeChoices. He joined YourLifeChoices in 2005 after completing his Bachelor of Business at Swinburne University. Drew has a passion for all things technology which is only rivalled for his love of all things sport.
FROM THE AUTHOR
- Our Partners -

DON'T MISS

- Advertisment -

MORE LIKE THIS

- Advertisment -

Log In

Forgot password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.