Foreign Miniser Julie Bishop attended an Adelaide dinner with Liberal donor Sally Zou but has dismissed rumours she received a gift from the mining magnate

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop attended a dinner in Adelaide with Liberal Party donor Sally Zou but has moved to scotch rumours she received an expensive gift from the mining magnate.

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop attended a dinner in Adelaide with Liberal Party donor Sally Zou but has moved to scotch rumours she received an expensive gift from the mining magnate.

Ms Zou’s links with senior Liberal figures have been under renewed scrutiny since she posted a photograph on social media of a cheque made out to the SA Liberals for more than $1.2 million.

Ms Bishop confirmed yesterday she had attended a 2015 Liberal dinner at Chianti on Hutt St at the invitation of Education Minister Simon Birmingham and that Ms Zou had also been present. But Ms Bishop’s office rejected a rumour she had received a gift of a rug from Ms Zou.

“The Minister attended a dinner at the invitation of Minister Simon Birmingham at Chianti in Adelaide in 2015,’’ a spokeswoman for Ms Bishop said.

“There is no record, nor does the Minister have any recollection that a gift was received. Had a gift of discloseable value been received, it would have been entered on the Register of Interests.”

South-Australian born Ms Bishop regularly returns to Adelaide.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop. Picture: Albin Lohr-Jones/Sipa USA

Adelaide-based Chinese entrepreneur Sally Zou. Picture: Jo-Anna Robinson

In 2016, Ms Zou registered an organisation known as the “Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation”. When quizzed about the foundation months later, Ms Bishop said she had been unaware of its existence.

Senator Birmingham said yesterday that Ms Zou was welcome to donate to the Liberal Party.

“I don’t care who wants to give money to the Liberal Party. I want to see a change of government here and that is the most important factor,’’ he told ABC radio.

State Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis criticised Senator Birmingham’s comments and Opposition Leader Steven Marshall for the Liberal Party’s links with Ms Zou.

“I found it astounding that the nation’s Education Minister would say, out of frustration, that he doesn’t care where the Liberal Party’s money comes from, just as long as the Liberal Party wins the election,’’ Mr Koutsantonis said.

“While financially flush, the Liberal Party are bordering on moral bankruptcy.

“The idea that the alternative Premier of this state is not prepared to answer serious questions about gifts and donations from a mysterious Chinese businesswoman should concern every South Australian.”

Ms Zou deleted the photo of the $1.2 million cheque and the Liberal Party is yet to receive it.

Ms Zou is a major Liberal donor and regularly gives payments of $88,888.

Sally Zou’s tweeted cheque of $1.2 million donated to the Liberal Party. Picture: Twitter @sally_ausgold

Mr Marshall has rejected suggestions that Ms Zou’s donations have influenced the Liberal Party.

Senator Birmingham said the Shop Assistants’ Union had donated more than $1.5 million to Labor in recent years.