https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-11/ ... n/11501088Liberal backbencher Gladys Liu has confirmed she held membership of an organisation linked to China's foreign interference operations, less than 24 hours after saying she could not recall being a part of it.
Ms Liu in a statement said she held an honorary role with Guangdong Overseas Exchange Association in 2011 but no longer had any association with the organisation.
On Tuesday, the ABC revealed Chinese Government records indicating the Liberal backbencher was a member of two provincial chapters of the China Overseas Exchange Association between 2003 and 2015.
Ms Liu made no mention of the Shandong provincial chapter in her statement.
She later told Sky News she "cannot recall" being a member of either group.
"I have resigned from many organisations and I am in the process of auditing any organisations who may have added me as a member without my knowledge or consent," Ms Liu said in a statement on Wednesday.
"I am a proud Australian, passionately committed to serving the people of Chisholm, and any suggestion contrary to this is deeply offensive."
The China Overseas Exchange Association, at the time of Ms Liu's membership, reported directly to Beijing's powerful State Council and has since been merged with the Communist Party's United Front Work Department, aimed at influencing foreign governments.
She did, however, confirm she had been the honorary president of the United Chinese Commerce Association of Australia and the Australian Jiangmen General Commercial Association.
She has since ended her association with both.
"Unfortunately some Chinese associations appoint people to honorary positions without their knowledge or permission," Ms Liu said.
"I do not wish my name to be used in any of these associations and I ask them to stop using my name."
Labor has demanded Prime Minister Scott Morrison assure the Parliament Ms Liu is "fit and proper" to be a MP.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne told the Senate that any suggestion Ms Liu wasn't "fit and proper" to serve as an MP was "offensive".
Labor has also compared the situation to that of former Labor senator Sam Dastyari, who quit Parliament after revelations about his links to China.
Mr Morrison rejected that and dismissed suggestions Ms Liu should face the same fate as Mr Dastyari.
Ms Liu, in her interview with Sky News, faced questions about China's military expansion in disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Three times she declined to characterise China's actions as "illegal" but said she supported the Australian Government's position.
"We do not take sides on competing territorial claims but we call on all claimants to resolve disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law," Ms Liu said in her Wednesday statement.
"China is not a democracy and is run under an authoritarian system.
"We have always been and will continue to be clear-eyed about our political differences, but do so based on mutual respect, as two sovereign nations."
Mr Morrison told Question Time he was satisfied with the statement Ms Liu had issued about the South China Sea on Wednesday.
First she denies the association, then she can't remember and finally she admits it. It doesn't matter which side of politics you are on these people should all be treated the same. It's a pity lefties only attack one side and ignore the foibles of those on the left whilst those on the right are generally more unbiased in their condemnation.
IMO show her the door.
