A NSW Labor MP accused of unknowingly being cultivated by Chinese government agents has belatedly hit back at the claims, describing them as divisive and without evidence.
Fairfax Media reported in late June that Australian intelligence agencies had evidence of direct dealings between suspected Chinese government agents and NSW upper-house MP Ernest Wong.
Labor leader Luke Foley defended his MP at the time by arguing the claim was part of an "established pattern" that tainted Chinese Australian politicians across the board.
Now, Mr Wong has addressed the Fairfax report, suggesting it was tantamount to levelling a charge of treason without any evidence.
"When Chinese Australians are portrayed as 'potential spies', I have to say this strays too far from the standards of fairness," Mr Wong said in a statement on Thursday.
"I am extremely worried that, if this discourse continues, it could usher in, within Australia, a return of the anti-Chinese hostility prevalent in the gold rush and the worst kind of division amongst the community."
Mr Wong also took aim at former prime minister John Howard for claiming Chinese expats were potentially capable of being cultivated by Beijing's agents.
Mr Howard's comments to a London panel discussion in June were "without foundation and reflected his lack of basic understanding" of the Chinese community, the Labor MP said.
Mr Howard argued China could use expats to help grow its influence and power in the region.
"To pretend that there isn't a game involving China particularly in our part of the world is deluding yourself," Mr Howard said.
