Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says she has never heard of Chinese mining magnate Sally Zou’s company named in her honour
ONE of the Liberal party’s largest donors, Chinese mining magnate Sally Zou, previously set up a company called “Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation” which the Foreign Minister has never heard of.
ONE of the Liberal party’s largest donors, Chinese mining magnate Sally Zou, previously set up a company called “Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation” which the Foreign Minister says she has never heard of.
The enigmatic Ms Zou, who is also a large financial supporter of Port Adelaide Football Club, also set a company last month called Australian Earthly Paradise.
That company’s principal place of business is 19 Tallisker Rd, Deep Creek — the address of a pristine 1.5km stretch of coastal property currently on the market for $2.5 million, which is not owned by Ms Zou.
It is understood she might be intending to buy the property. Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation Pty Ltd was set up in April last year, and changed its name to Glorious Foundation just nine days later.
A spokeswoman for the Minister said the existence of the company was news to her.
“The Foreign Minister has met Ms Zou from time to time at various functions. The Minister was not aware of any Foundation established using her name, nor has she been approached by Ms Zou for any government assistance.’’
Ms Zou is the largest donor to the South Australian Liberal Party, contributing $360,000 to the local arm last financial year — well above any other single donor — and $100,000 to the Federal Liberal Party. It is unclear what her business ambitions are in Australia.
Ms Zou owns a modest number of companies registered in Australia including Aus Food Alliance, Aus Jade Group, Aus Diamond Mining Group and Aus Gold Mining Group.
The Aus Gold website says “Our current projects span 630 km2 with estimated gold reserves of more than 5 million ounces and we are actively seeking new investment opportunities across Australia.’’
Ms Zou’s companies appear to hold no licences or approvals relating to projects in South Australia.
She does have a close relationship with the SA Liberal Party, with Aus Gold-branded gold foil-covered chocolate coins handed out during the Prime Minister’s last visit to Adelaide. State Liberal Party director Sascha Meldrum said “The Liberal Party is not involved with or aware of the operations of the Foundation company you refer to’’.
Ms Zou frequently praises the Liberal party on Twitter, while also criticising the Labor Party. She did not respond to attempts to contact her.
cameron.england@news.com.au