Tony Abbott attended Australia Day dinner with links to China's communist government

It was an Australia Day dinner with the Chinese community - but Tony Abbott says he didn't realise he was being hosted by individuals with strong links to China's communist government.

The former Prime Minister insists there was no wrongdoing, as he prepared for a battle closer to home, rallying the troops in Warringah.

He's in campaign mode, but his attendance at a campaign dinner for an Australia Chinese Association has raised questions.

The former Prime Minister was a VIP hosted by lobbyists from China's Communist Party, delivering a speech in which he praised the rise of the superpower.

The Australia Day event was attended by high ranking affiliates of the United Front, which attempts to influence foreign politicians for Beijing.

"I’m the last person anyone would accuse of being a patsy for the Chinese government,"Mr Abott said..

The former Prime Minister says his speech also had criticisms of the Chinese Government.

"Presidents for life are not such a great idea ...turning sandbanks into military bases is not such a great idea," he said.

Also not a great idea, Mr Abbott said, was attending a dinner with United Front associates.

He says he wasn't aware they were there until yesterday, and wouldn’t have attended if he knew.