ICAC again. NSW Labor is being accused of accepting money from illegal sources. Sadly one of those involved has taken his own life. Mr Liao committed suicide the weekend before he was set to give evidence, in 2018.
In a previous blog, I described Kaila Murnain as 'odious'. This was unfair on my part. I clearly don't know her personally. Her appearance at ICAC today certainly suggests, however, she is familiar with the dark arts of politics, knows how the sausages are made. In the classic game of pass the parcel, it seems the parcel is currently with some lawyer, and Sam Dastyari. Sure, whatever.
Assuming they are allowed to examine without prejudice, this has an intriguing international dimension. Mr Xiangmo's ties to the Chinese Communist Party are unlikely to be explored, sadly. Mr Xiangmo may not be exceptional here. It is already understood that successful businessmen in China must have political connections. Canberra will not wish to shine a light on this particular topic. The extent to which 'businessmen' are directed by the CCP for geopolitical reasons will doubtless be known by insiders, and only guessed at by the rest. But a glance around your average Australian city will reveal that Australia is, slowly, becoming a globalized nation, with all the negatives that this will surely entail, once successfully bribed politicians have retired, wealthy.
I sympathize with Ms Murnain, whose role may have been relatively minor. However, the ALP has just lost two entirely winnable elections, in which her role was far greater. She is clearly toast.