SA Liberal party donor Sally Zou’s NSW mining project is being investigated
EXCLUSIVE: A company owned by the State Liberal party’s largest donor, Sally Zou, is under investigation by the New South Wales mining regulator.
- SA Liberals’ largest donor revealed as Chinese mining magnate Sally Zou
- Sally Zou’s company named in Julie Bishop’s honour
A COMPANY owned by the State Liberal party’s largest donor, Sally Zou, is currently under investigation by the New South Wales mining regulator, The Advertiser can reveal.
Ms Zou’s company, Aus Gold Mining Group, of which she is the sole shareholder, was reportedly supposed to start production at a gold mine at Tibooburra near the NSW/Queensland border around now.
The project was expected to employ about 20 people for six to seven years.
However Broken Hill’s Barrier Daily Truth has reported that all staff employed to bring the mine into production had been let go.
The Advertiser contacted the NSW mining regulator which said: ”The NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Resources Regulator can confirm it is currently conducting an investigation into Aus Gold Mining Group.
“As the investigation is ongoing further details will not be released.’’
Ms Zou is an enigmatic figure who, through her companies, has donated $746,852 to the Liberal Party at the state and federal levels over the past two years.
This figure does not include any federal donations which might have been made in the 2016-17 financial year which are yet to be disclosed and which the party would not release.
The lion’s share of the money — $626,782 — has gone to the SA branch of the Liberal Party, making her their most generous donor over that time.
The most recent donation was $81,188.88 on August 11, and she also donated $88,888 on April 26 this year, Liberal Party disclosures show.
The number eight is considered auspicious in Chinese culture.
Ms Zou is also embroiled in a dispute with Toop & Toop real estate agent Sally Cameron, who is suing Ms Zou for backing out of the purchase of 8 Robe Tce, Medindie for $5.58 million in February.
Ms Zou has filed a defence which claims she was “induced to enter into the contract” on discussions with Ms Cameron that she would be able to demolish the house. That claim is denied.
While she has been described as a “mining magnate” Ms Zou appears to have no mining interests in SA and the Good Friday project at Tibooburra appears to be her most advanced project in Australia.
She previously set up a company called “Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation” without the knowledge of the Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, however that company has now been deregistered.
Neither State Liberal Leader Steven Marshall or Liberal Party of Australia state director Sascha Meldrum could shed any light on what Ms Zou might want in return for her donations, if anything.
“I can confirm that Mr Marshall has met with Ms Zou, who operates Australian mining company AusGold and sponsors the Port Adelaide Football Club,’’ a spokesman for the opposition leader said.
“Matters regarding donations to the Liberal Party should be referred to the Liberal Party state director and any questions about Ms Zou’s intentions should be directed to Ms Zou.”
Ms Meldrum said in a statement: “The Liberal Party supports and complies with the disclosure requirements within the Commonwealth and State Electoral Acts which were introduced to increase overall transparency and inform the public about the fundraising of political parties involved in the electoral process.
“The Liberal party appreciates the growing financial support being provided by businesses to assist with campaigning to deliver a change in Government in South Australia.’’
Ms Zou did not respond to inquiries.
DONATIONS
Federal Liberal Party
$100,000 May 19, 2016
$12,000 June 6, 2016
SA Liberal Party
$50,000 Nov 11, 2015
$50,000 Dec 21, 2015
$20,000 May 9, 2016
$50,000 May 10, 2016
$100,000 May 12, 2016
$50,000 May 26, 2016
$50,000 May 31, 2016
$20,000 Jun 9, 2016
$20,000 Jun 25, 2016
$88,888 Apr 26, 2017
$143,664 May 17, 2017 (including the $88,888)
$81,188.88 Aug 11, 2017
Total: $746,852
Source: Australian Electoral Commission
Note: This does not include donations at the federal level for 2016-17, which have not yet been disclosed.