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Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo claims persecution by ‘dark forces of Australia’s deep state’

  • Usually reclusive tycoon lashes out at politicians, agencies and media, calling tax office a ‘despicable tool’ for its pursuit of US$104 million tax bill
  • Huang, a major political donor, has had his assets frozen and permanent residency cancelled over fears of foreign political interference

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Opposition politician Bill Shorten holds up a photograph of Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop and Chinese businessman Huang Xiangmo in Parliament House in Canberra in June 2017. Photo: AAP via AP

Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo has called the tax office a “despicable tool for political persecution” over its pursuit of an alleged unpaid A$140 million (US$104 million) tax bill, saying “unknown dark forces” and an Australian “deep state” were conspiring against him.

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The normally reclusive property developer – whose Australian permanent residency was cancelled on advice from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio) in December over fears of foreign political interference – condemned Australian politicians, government agencies and the media for what he described as their “amazingly synergised collaboration” in attacks on him.

“All allegations against me have been groundless in nature,” he said.

“Be it a political donation or an alleged tax burden, it all leads to fictional tales fabricated in a vacuum. Even more shockingly, some government agencies have actually taken or attempted to take some ‘deep state-style’ actions against me based on those fictions. This is the real woe of Australia and where the actual risk lies for the country.”

Huang Xiangmo with former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in 2016. Photo: Handout
Huang Xiangmo with former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in 2016. Photo: Handout
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