Labor Senator Resigns Over Chinese Donation Scandal

    Sam, dashed.

    Mark Di Stefano
    by Mark Di Stefano

    BuzzFeed News Political Editor, Australia

    One of Labor's rising stars Sam Dastyari has resigned from the front bench after being embroiled in a scandal involving Chinese political donations.

    Dean Lewins / AAPIMAGE

    The 33-year-old got a Chinese company to pay for an office bill last year, then reportedly spoke out in favour of China's position on the South China Sea.

    Late on Wednesday, Dastyari said he'd be stepping down from his position as consumer affairs spokesman and manager of opposition business in the senate.

    "Today, I spoke to my leader, Bill Shorten, and offered my resignation from the frontbench, which he accepted," said Dastyari.

    Sam Dastyari @samdastyari

    The Labor Party owes me nothing and I owe the Labor Party everything. Bill Shorten and the team don't deserve this distraction.

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    Labor leader Bill Shorten has been standing by Dastyari for more than a week, calling him a "bright young" talent in the party.

    Dastyari has become an influential figure in the Labor party, especially as a factional leader in the NSW branch of the ALP.