The New South Wales Labour Party councillor Shaoquett Moselmane( Shawkay Mosoman) broke its silence on foreign intervention accusation and raids on his home, insisting that it was not a suspect in an ongoing national security investigation and reiterating its loyalty to Australia.
On monday, in a statement to journalist by the new state parliament, mr. Moselmane confirmed that he had been questioned by federal agents about the accusation, of vicious influence of foreign countries, but that he was not the focus of the investigation.
Mr Moselmane has been suspended by the new state labour party after last week's federal police raid on his home and parliament office. His part-time employee, John Zhang, was also raided on friday.
Mr. Moselmane made a prepared statement, and he did not comment on Mr. Zhang, but confirmed that he would for leave while the investigation continued.
His commitment did not meet the demands of many Labour government councillor and colleagues for his resignation.
"I am not a suspect in this investigation ," Mr. Moselmane said. "I was born in Lebanon and I am loyal to Australia. My primary loyalty is to Australia. "
Moselmane, claiming that a "political lynching" had begun, questioned the timing of the raid, noting that it had taken place before the by-election of Eden-Monaro federal seats, to be held on 4 July.
Speaking about 12 minutes into the media, Mr. Moselmane did not take journalist questions. He also challenged many of the media commentator's statements about him, saying that he had made several Chinese government funded visits since he entered the parliament in 2009.
"I have never been on a government sponsored trip ," he said. "I paid for my airfare and my accommodation. "
Neither Mr. Moselmane nor Mr. Zhang was acciused any crimes, but the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) issued a statement on Friday that their search warrant was linked to an "ongoing investigation ".
Mr Moselmane is known as an outspoken advocate of chinese government. Last April, he resigned as Assistant Speaker of the New State legislation Committee in praise of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and his remarks about the COVID-19 pandemic.
His pro-Beijing remarks and his relationship with influential senior Chinese officials raised concerns.
Mr. Moselmane defended himself on these issues, saying that he had the right to hold those opinions like anyone else in Australia. He said he was interested in China and its politics in high school.
"My view of China is what any Australian is entitled to hold ," he said ." China has always been an important trading partner. Its investment in Australia has made our economic sustainable. "
