Election Watchdog is investigating CCP-related support for Teal MP Mony Cryan

The Australian Election Commission (AEC) introduced issues that include questionable political support for Teal MP Mony Cryan for further investigation.

The move comes after a video emerged showing two volunteers in China, Jessica and Stephen, wearing campaign shirts and holding flyers for potential Teal.

Jessica tells the interviewer that her “friend” recommended that she support Ryan and that Koyon’s wealthy elected lawmakers did a “very good” job.

The pair then talks in Mandarin. This is when Jessica dropped her name on the “Lake Ossociation Association,” a branch of the China-based overseas Hu Federation.

“Ji Ji Ziammin, president of the Hubei Association, asked what to do, and members of the Chinese diaspora demanded that she support her,” Jessica said.

Stephen says Ryan’s “values” are consistent with the Chinese and the community needs to support her.

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The organization has been accused of working with the United Workfront division, a branch of China’s Communist Party (CCP), and is seeking to gain influence among individuals and organizations outside of China.

This is not the first time that a Chinese community group has used their shaking to guide their members to vote. In the 2022 election, the Chinese app WeChat group was asked to vote against then Minister Scott Morrison because he was believed to be “anti-Chinese.”

The current issue is called the Election Integrity Assurance Task Force.

“Thank you” for support: Ryan

The candidate spoke to the media on April 29th and said he was grateful to the volunteers.

“The two volunteers attributed to the video on social media are those who attended dinners where community leaders supported me, supported my values ​​and I thought I was very supportive of the community in recent years, and that’s why I think people should support me,” she said.

“I am grateful for the support that the Chinese Australians have given me over the past three years. I have worked hard for the Chinese Australian community in koooyong. 20% of Koooyong members are Chinese Australians and they deserve to be represented, I tried to do it.

“I don’t know how the video is interpreted, I don’t know if it’s accurate, but no one is forced to volunteer for me, but I’m grateful to the people who volunteered to me in my campaign.”

Foreign interference claims

James Paterson, a spokesman for Shadow Home Affairs, called for an urgent investigation.

“Australian elections must be decided only by Australians,” he said.

“The organization connected to the United Front Work division, the Chinese Communist Party’s overseas influence that Xi Jinping described as his no-quote ‘Magic Weapon’, has been instructing people to volunteer in Monique Ryan’s campaign at Kooyong,” Patterson told ABC Radio on April 29.

“I think it’s important that if these reports are confirmed now, it could constitute a serious act of foreign interference that is contrary to the law, so it’s important that the federal police and ASIO investigate this and that Mony Cryan is transparent about his involvement in this scheme.”

The AEC told the Epoch Times it is aware that Senator Patterson is seeking an investigation.

“The AEC reviews this issue just as it reviews all issues raised with us,” the spokesman said.

“This includes an introduction for consideration by the Election Integrity Assurance Task Force.”

The spokesman said the AEC had not been contacted by the Age newspaper, which first published its claims before the original story was executed.

“It’s important to note that Australia has a secret vote,” the spokesman said.

“No one knows how other individuals’ votes will be voted. Your vote is your choice. We have published advice to voters on their influence in Australia’s elections, including a general reminder that all voters are responsible for making their own decisions about how and who will help them.”