Image: Wolter Peeters Fairfax, Audio: Sky News

Labor Senator Sam Dastyari has quit federal politics.

His resignation comes following countless revelations about his relationship with a Chinese businessmen linked to the communist party.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop tells Deborah Knight the disgraced senator should have been sacked weeks ago.

“He’s unfit to represent the Australian people. His resignation should take effect immediately and he shouldn’t receive another cent from the Australian tax payer.

“He expressed no regret for letting down Australia. He didn’t put Australia first.”

In a press conference this morning, Dastyari said he was resigning to “spare the [Labor] party any further distraction”.

“After much reflection, I’ve decided that the best service I can render to the federal parliamentary Labor party is to not return to the Senate in 2018.

“I leave knowing I have always honoured my parliamentary oath, I have always acted with integrity and I remain a loyal, patriotic Australian.”

 

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has released this statement:

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