Plaintiff lawyers allege US foreign influence in Australian class action crackdown

Parliamentary inquiry told treasurer Josh Frydenberg met US chamber of commerce affiliate, while Liberal MPs question $100,000 donation to Labor

Plaintiff lawyers have accused an affiliate of the US chamber of commerce of foreign influence" for lobbying to tighten Australia's regulation of litigation funding and class actions.

A fiery inquiry on Monday descended into claim and counterclaim regarding lobbying about the reforms, which plaintiff lawyers say will harm Australians' access to justice by requiring litigation funders to comply with investment regulations.