Sam Dastyari Explained

Sam Dastyari
Office:Senator for New South Wales
Predecessor:Matt Thistlethwaite
Successor:Kristina Keneally
Term Start:21 August 2013
Term End:25 January 2018
Office1:General Secretary of the Labor
in New South Wales
Leader1:Kristina Keneally
John Robertson
Predecessor1:Matt Thistlethwaite
Successor1:Jamie Clements
Term Start1:17 July 2010
Term End1:21 August 2013
Footnotes:[1] [2]
Party:Labor
Office2:Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate
Leader2:Penny Wong
1Blankname2:Chief Whip
1Namedata2:Anne Urquhart
Predecessor2:Catryna Bilyk
Term Start2:3 February 2017
Term End2:30 November 2017
Office3:Manager of Opposition Business
in the Senate
Leader3:Penny Wong
Deputy3:Katy Gallagher
Predecessor3:Claire Moore
Successor3:Katy Gallagher
Term Start3:23 July 2016
Term End3:7 September 2016
Birth Name:Sahand Dastyari
Birth Date:28 July 1983
Birth Place:Sari, Mazandaran Province, Iran
Nationality:Australian
Children:2
Residence:Russell Lea, New South Wales, Australia
Education:Baulkham Hills High School
Alma Mater:University of Sydney
Macquarie University

Sam Dastyari (born 28 July 1983) is an Australian former politician, who from 2013 to 2018 represented New South Wales in the Australian Senate as a member of the Australian Labor Party. Dastyari was previously General Secretary of the New South Wales branch of the Labor Party.[3] He was the first person of Iranian origin and Azerbaijani descent to sit in the Australian Parliament.[4] As a Senator, Dastyari was the subject of a Chinese-related donations scandal, which eventually led to his resignation from the Senate on 25 January 2018.[5]

Early life and education

Born in Sari, Mazandaran Province, Iran[6] to an ethnic Azerbaijani father and Mazanderani mother, Dastyari arrived in Australia at age four in January 1988.[7] His parents were student activists in the 1979 Iranian revolution.

Dastyari attended John Purchase Public School in Cherrybrook, joined the Australian Labor Party at age sixteen[8] and was vice-captain at Baulkham Hills High School.[9] Dastyari dropped out of a Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Laws course at the University of Sydney[2] due to being "so caught up in the movement and student politics".[2] He went on to become President of Australian Young Labor[6] and later studied part-time at Macquarie University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics.[2]

Political career (2010–2018)

Early career (2010–2013)

In March 2010, Dastyari was elected as General Secretary of NSW Labor with the support of the Transport Workers' Union (TWU), the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), and the Australian Workers Union (AWU).[10]

Australian Senate (2013–2018)

On 21 August 2013, a joint sitting of the Parliament of New South Wales appointed Dastyari to the Senate seat vacated by Matt Thistlethwaite, who had resigned to contest a House of Representatives seat at the 2013 federal election.[11]

Dastyari was an Iranian citizen at birth. He previously applied to renounce Iranian citizenship in order to take the "reasonable steps" required to comply with section 44 of the Constitution of Australia. Dastyari did not complete the compulsory military service required to renounce citizenship under Iranian law, but stated that the Iranian government's issuance of a tourist visa to him acknowledged that he was no longer an Iranian citizen.[12] [13]

In October 2015, the retirements of Bernie Ripoll and Jan McLucas from the shadow ministry caused a reshuffle, and Dastyari became Deputy Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Youth.

After Labor's defeat at the 2016 election, Dastyari was promoted to the shadow outer ministry becoming Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate, and spokesman for consumer affairs. Dastyari resigned from the positions following a scandal over payments and gifts from Chinese companies.[14] He was later appointed Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate. Dastyari formally submitted his resignation from the Senate on 25 January 2018.[5]

Chinese influence scandal

In November 2014, Dastyari declared that a Chinese company with links to the Chinese government had provided him with $44,000 to settle his legal bills. In October 2015, Dastyari asked a Chinese private education provider with links to the Chinese government to pay a travel bill of $1,670. He declared both payments appropriately.[15] [16]

Dastyari spoke at Chinese-language press conferences and was at odds with the Australian government's policy on the South China Sea. Malcolm Turnbull, then Prime Minister, accused him of accepting money in exchange for supporting China in its South China Sea territorial disputes.[17] The uproar over Dastyari's actions was seen by The Economist as a sign of the changing mood among Australians regarding Chinese investment.[18] Initially, Dastyari attempted to defuse the situation by offering the money he had received to a charity; however, the charity refused to accept the donation. As a result of this controversy, on 7 September 2016 Dastyari resigned from his shadow frontbench position as Manager of Opposition Business and spokesman for consumer affairs, and returned to the backbench.[19]

In 2017, following reports that Dastyari contradicted Labor's policy on the South China Sea territorial dispute and offered counter-surveillance advice to the Chinese donor in question, Huang Xiangmo, he was removed from his roles as Senate Deputy Opposition Whip and Senate Committee chair.[20] Media reports also stated that Dastyari had told the donor, Huang Xiangmo, that his phones were likely being tapped by intelligence agencies and that they should leave their phones inside and speak outside to avoid being overheard.[21] Party leader Bill Shorten stripped Dastyari of his role as Deputy Opposition Whip the next day, amid calls from Prime Minister Turnbull and the Government for Dastyari to stand down from the Senate.[20] In December 2017, reports emerged that in 2015 he attempted to persuade Labor's foreign affairs spokesperson, Tanya Plibersek, to cancel a meeting with a member of Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp.[22]

On 12 December 2017, Dastyari announced that he would resign from the Senate prior to the 2018 parliamentary year.[23] His decision not to resign with immediate effect attracted some criticism, partly because it would allow him to continue earning a Senator's salary.[24] He formally submitted his resignation to the President of the Senate on 25 January 2018.[5]

Ross Babbage, former head of strategic analysis at the Office of National Assessments, described Dastyari as an "agent of influence" and part of China's aim to build local support for its policy positions around the world.[25] As a result of the scandal, Dastyari was the subject of petitions with thousands of signatures calling for him to be charged with treason.

Post his political career, in 2019 Dastyari appeared before the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption public inquiry into allegations concerning political donations, the NSW Branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), members of Chinese Friends of Labor and others. Dastyari testified that in September 2016 he provided advice to Kaila Murnain, at the time an Assistant Secretary of NSW Labor, to seek the advice of Labor's lawyers following disclosure that NSW Labor received potentially unlawful donations in 2015 and potential fundraising misconduct.[26] [27] [28]

Domestic policies

Banking royal commission

In 2014, Dastyari called for a royal commission into the banking and financial services sector.[29] A number of scandals involving some companies increased pressure on the Federal Government to establish a royal commission with Labor promising to establish a royal commission should it win the 2016 federal election.[30]

As Chair of the Senate Economics Committee, Dastyari instigated the inquiries into financial practices, and led questioning of the big four banks regarding a string of financial advice scandals.[31] He continued to push for a more substantial royal commission and vigorously pursued the banks when in office. He worked with Senate crossbenchers in 2017 to establish a powerful Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into Australia's big banks, putting more pressure on the Federal Government to establish a royal commission.[32] The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry was established in December 2017 after years of public pressure.[33]

Multinational tax avoidance

On the issue of multinational tax avoidance, Dastyari led an inquiry in 2015 to examine whether some companies were running an international tax avoidance structure. He called for the Federal Government to do more to counter corporate tax avoidance.[34] Dastyari made a video starring his kids to explain tax avoidance using the currency of lollies.[35]

Political views

In 2012, at a dinner to promote multiculturalism and "bring Muslims and others together to learn and understand each other's culture and religious significance", Dastyari said "Labor core values are similar to Islamic social value such as equal justice and respect for everyone".[36]

In 2016, Dastyari claimed that ten companies wield the most incredible amount of power in Australia to an extent that stifles proper democratic and economic progress.[37] [38]

Post-politics career

In March 2018, Dastyari passed a two-show trial to join a KIIS 106.5 Sydney breakfast radio show once a fortnight on a segment known as Gutter Politics.[39] In November 2018, Dastyari replaced Overnight talk show host Luke Bona on Triple M for two weeks.[40]

Dastyari participated in the fifth season of reality program I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here![41]

Personal life

Dastyari identifies as a "non-practising Muslim".[42] He and wife Helen lived in the Sydney suburb of Russell Lea with their two daughters.[1] In January 2019 he announced that he and his wife had separated.[43]

Dastyari is a member of the "Halal Snack Pack Appreciation Society"[44] [45] Facebook Group although he has publicly stated that "some halal certifiers are nothing more than scammers".[46] He made news by inviting One Nation's leader Pauline Hanson to join him for a Halal Snack Pack, an invitation she declined.

Published works

External links

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Notes and References

  1. News: NSW Labor machine man Sam Dastyari upgrades inner west family abode . Chancellor, Jonathan . 23 November 2012 . Property Observer . 20 July 2013 .
  2. News: Summers. Anne. Master of the maze. 12 February 2014. The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20140618161612/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/master-of-the-maze-20130819-2s5ro.html. 18 June 2014. live.
  3. Web site: Cautious reformer eyes a leap into Senate. Deborah Snow. The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 July 2013. 9 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130831172601/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/cautious-reformer-eyes-a-leap-into-senate-20130726-2qpuk.html. 31 August 2013. live.
  4. Web site: Faculty of Arts, Macquarie University. Master of the maze. 21 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035231/http://www.arts.mq.edu.au/news_and_events/media_mentions/master_of_the_maze. 4 March 2016. live.
  5. Web site: Labor senator Sam Dastyari formally quits Parliament. The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 January 2018. 25 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180125094105/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/labor-senator-sam-dastyari-formally-quits-parliament-20180125-h0ofn3.html. 25 January 2018. live. Australian Associated Press.
  6. News: Force of youth . 25 June 2011 . . Snow, Deborah . 20 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150406092136/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/force-of-youth-20110624-1gjjb.html . 6 April 2015 . live .
  7. Book: Dastyari, Sam . 2017 . One Halal of a Story . Melbourne . MUP . 19 . 9780522872095 . 16 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190117014837/https://www.mup.com.au/books/one-halal-of-a-story-paperback-softback . 17 January 2019 . live .
  8. Web site: Labor shows that it has learned nothing. Piers. Akerman. The Sunday Telegraph. 3 May 2014. 28 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20140503172811/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/labor-shows-that-it-has-learned-nothing/story-fni0cx12-1226904191283. 3 May 2014. live.
  9. Web site: Master of the maze. Summers. Anne. 18 August 2013. The Sydney Morning Herald. https://web.archive.org/web/20160605044708/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/master-of-the-maze-20130818-2s5ro.html. 5 June 2016. live.
  10. News: The Power Index: Sam Dastyari . . Barry, Paul . Paul Barry . 2 July 2012 . Private Media Pty Ltd . 20 July 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130512213624/http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/thepower50/sam-dastyari . 12 May 2013 .
  11. News: Labor's Dastyari gets nod for Senate. 9 August 2013. The Australian. 12 November 2017.
  12. News: Citizenship saga in Senate: Every foreign link revealed. ABC News. 4 December 2017. en-AU. 4 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171204234208/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-04/citizenship-register:-every-citizenship-by-australias-senators/9223264. 4 December 2017. live.
  13. News: Back to where I came from: Sam Dastyari. The Monthly. 1 August 2017. en-gb. 9 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171110061650/https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2017/august/1501509600/sam-dastyari/back-where-i-came. 10 November 2017. live.
  14. News: Political donations and Sam Dastyari's downfall. Middleton. Karen. 10 September 2016. The Saturday Paper. 24 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170503024606/https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2016/09/10/political-donations-and-sam-dastyaris-downfall/14734296003722. 3 May 2017. live.
  15. News: Murphy. Katharine. On political donations, Canberra is sleepwalking into its own integrity crisis. 1 December 2017. Guardian Australia. 1 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20171223062939/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/sep/01/on-political-donations-canberra-is-sleepwalking-into-its-own-integrity-crisis. 23 December 2017. live.
  16. Web site: Sam Dastyari Chinese payment: Julie Bishop also accused of accepting $500K in donations. News.com.au. 6 September 2016. 28 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20181002030137/https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/bishop-snared-in-china-payment-furore/news-story/2f2a08b46498f77a2cb3ae6665d8c166. 2 October 2018. live.
  17. Web site: Sam Dastyari's expenses scandal a 'cash for comment' moment, says Turnbull. 2 September 2016. Guardian Australia. 28 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20181104191607/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/sep/02/sam-dastyaris-expenses-scandal-a-cash-for-comment-moment-says-turnbull. 4 November 2018. live.
  18. News: You can't buy trust. 10 September 2016. . 28 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415202707/https://www.economist.com/asia/2016/09/10/you-cant-buy-trust. 15 April 2019. live.
  19. Web site: No 'free pass': Dastyari quits Labor frontbench over donations furore. Uma. Patel. 7 September 2016. ABC News. Australia . 28 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180730105409/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-07/sam-dastyari-steps-down-from-labors-front-bench/7823970. 30 July 2018. live.
  20. News: Yaxley. Louise. Bill Shorten dumps Sam Dastyari from Senate job, says he doesn't trust senator after latest China revelations. 1 December 2017. ABC News. Australia . 30 November 2017. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201013036/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-30/opposition-leader-bill-shorten-tells-sam-dastyari-to-resign/9209814. 1 December 2017. live.
  21. News: Yaxley. Louise. PM questions Dastyari's loyalty amid security information leak claims. 1 December 2017. ABC News. Australia . 29 November 2017. en-AU. https://web.archive.org/web/20171130225632/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-29/sam-dastyari-denies-warning-chinese-donor-of-phone-tap/9205012. 30 November 2017. live.
  22. News: Hunter. Fergus. McKenzie. Nick. Sam Dastyari warned Tanya Plibersek to abandon meeting with Hong Kong activist, sources say. 10 December 2017. The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171210234945/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sam-dastyari-warned-tanya-plibersek-to-abandon-meeting-with-hong-kong-activist-sources-say-20171210-h01z5o.html. 10 December 2017. live.
  23. News: Sam Dastyari quits as Labor senator over China connections. Remeikis. Amy. Guardian Australia. 12 December 2017. 12 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171212012331/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/12/sam-dastyari-quits-labor-senator-china-connections. 12 December 2017. live.
  24. News: Sam Dastyari to keep drawing taxpayer salary for weeks, despite resigning. Massola. James. The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 December 2017. 13 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171213045106/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sam-dastyari-to-keep-drawing-taxpayer-salary-for-weeks-despite-resigning-20171212-h03mv9.html. 13 December 2017. live.
  25. News: Patrick. Aaron. Sam Dastyari is a Chinese 'agent of influence': ex-intelligence chief. 10 December 2017. Financial Review. 4 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171210231832/http://www.afr.com/news/politics/sam-dastyari-is-a-chinese-agent-of-influence-exintelligence-chief-20171203-gzxktb. 10 December 2017. live.
  26. News: Knaus, Christopher . Sam Dastyari told Kaila Murnain to 'cover your arse' about dubious NSW Labor donation, Icac hears . . 29 August 2019 . 29 August 2019 .
  27. News: Chenoweth, Neil . The mystery behind Dastyari's ICAC moment . . 29 August 2019 . 29 August 2019 .
  28. News: Wells, Jamelle . ICAC hearing into donations continues, suspended NSW Labor boss Kaila Murnain cries . ABC News. Australia . 29 August 2019 . 29 August 2019 .
  29. News: Labor Senator renews call for royal commission into banks after Timbercorp inquiry . ABC News. Australia . 12 November 2014 . 13 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141114055526/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-13/labor-senator-renews-calls-for-banks-royal-commission/5887096 . 14 November 2014 . live .
  30. Web site: IOOF scandal sparks calls for royal commission . . 21 June 2015 . 22 June 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150623152505/http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/ioof-scandal-sparks-calls-for-royal-commission-20150621-ghthvc.html . 23 June 2015 . live .
  31. Web site: Sam Dastyari, John Williams scrutinise banks on financial advice . . 28 February 2015 . 1 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190117065922/https://www.afr.com/business/banking-and-finance/sam-dastyari-john-williams-scrutinise-banks-on-financial-advice-20150301-13rqy7 . 17 January 2019 . live .
  32. Web site: Senate Backs The Banking Royal Commission You Have When You're Not Having A Banking Royal Commission . . 15 June 2017 . 15 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170620021217/http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/06/14/senate-backs-the-banking-royal-commission-you-have-when-youre-n_a_22223588/ . 20 June 2017 . live .
  33. Web site: Banking royal commission: all you need to know – so far . . 19 April 2018 . 19 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180419230043/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/20/banking-royal-commission-all-you-need-to-know-so-far . 19 April 2018 . live .
  34. News: Google, Apple and Microsoft deny tax avoidance at Senate inquiry, Labor says Australians don't accept their practices are 'genuine' . ABC News. Australia . 8 April 2015 . 9 April 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150409100802/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-08/google-apple-microsoft-deny-tax-avoidance-senate-inquiry/6379024 . 9 April 2015 . live .
  35. News: Labor's Sam Dastyari and kids star in 'cutest guide to tax avoidance' – video . . 12 May 2016 . 12 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160521002241/http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/video/2016/may/12/labors-sam-dastyari-and-kids-star-in-cutest-guide-to-tax-avoidance-video . 21 May 2016 . live .
  36. News: Solicitor Ejaz Khan hosted a Iftar dinner at the Himalaya Restaurant Sydney. August 2012. Sada-e-Watan Sydney. 28 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20170607153214/http://www.sadaewatansydney.com/ejazkhaniftarparty.htm. 7 June 2017. live.
  37. Web site: Ten companies have taken control of Australian politics, says Labor senator in fiery pub speech. The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 February 2016 . 5 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205233540/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/labor-senator-sam-dastyari-claims-10-companies-have-taken-complete-control-of-australias-political-process-20160205-gmmy30.html. 5 February 2016. live.
  38. Web site: Is Sam Dastyari the most anti-business person in Australia?. Will. Glasgow. Australian Financial Review. 10 April 2015. 28 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160818050123/http://www.afr.com/news/politics/is-sam-dastyari-the-most-antibusiness-person-in-australia-20150409-1mhks1. 18 August 2016. live.
  39. News: 'Gutter Politics': Sam Dastyari joins Kyle & Jackie O show. 20 March 2018. The New Daily. 22 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322081627/https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2018/03/20/sam-dastyari-kyle-jackie-o/. 22 March 2018. live.
  40. https://radiotoday.com.au/sam-dastyari-fills-in-on-triple-ms-the-night-shift/ Sam Dastyari fills in on Triple M's The Night Shift
  41. Web site: Sam Dastyari hopes to confront his demons in the South African jungle. The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 January 2018. 11 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190111205649/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/sam-dastyari-hopes-to-confront-his-demons-in-the-south-african-jungle-20190110-p50qp5.html. 11 January 2019. live.
  42. News: Kelly. Joe. 19 July 2016 . Race debate: ban on Muslims bars educated, secular: Dastyari. The Australian. 28 January 2019 .
  43. Web site: Disgraced senator Sam Dastyari announces split with his wife of eight years – and reveals he ALREADY has another girlfriend (who used to work for Julia Gillard). MSN. 8 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190128135718/https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/disgraced-senator-sam-dastyari-announces-split-with-his-wife-of-eight-years-and-reveals-he-already-has-another-girlfriend-who-used-to-work-for-julia-gillard/ar-BBSeupr. 28 January 2019. live.
  44. Web site: Senator rates halal snack pack a 10 . . 17 March 2016 . 30 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160912221333/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/politics/federal/2016/03/17/senator-rates-halal-snack-pack-a-10.html . 12 September 2016 . live .
  45. Web site: Senator Sam Dastyari's guide to halal snack packs. Sharnee. Rawson. 14 July 2016. Good Food. 28 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160807083257/http://www.goodfood.com.au/eat-out/news/senator-sam-dastyaris-guide-to-halal-snack-packs-20160713-gq4whn.html. 7 August 2016. live.
  46. News: 'Nothing more than scammers': Senate committee calls for halal overhaul. Aston, Heath. 2 December 2015. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160813233937/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nothing-more-than-scammers-senate-committee-calls-for-halal-overhaul-20151201-glcrli.html. 13 August 2016. live.

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