Chinese language media tycoon Tommy Jiang has business seized by liquidator

A Melbourne millionaire accused of channelling Chinese government propaganda to Australia has had his business seized by liquidators.

One of the nation’s biggest Chinese-language media groups, backed by a Melbourne millionaire who has been accused of channelling Chinese government propaganda into Australia, has been seized by liquidators.

Oster International Media Group, which has collapsed owing creditors including the tax office more than $5.5m, was taken over by a court-appointed liquidator in March following action by a disgruntled creditor.

Oster’s media assets spanned radio, weekly newspapers and lifestyle magazines.

Its key platform was the 3CW Chinese-language radio station which no longer appears to be broadcasting, while the phone number to the group’s Southbank head office is disconnected.

Oster International Media Group owner Tommy Jiang.

Oster is owned by Jiang Zhao Qing, also known as Tommy Jiang, who has been connected to the United Front Work Department, an arm of the Chinese Communist Party.

Mr Jiang is mentioned numerous times in a report about Chinese government influence in local media released last year by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and featured heavily in a 2019 Four Corners report on the same issue.

Local China watchers and academics have accused Mr Jiang of using his media platforms to rebroadcast Chinese state propaganda.

The former soccer player has been involved in a number of property developments including the Bradmill factory site in Yarraville and a $100m golf course in Sydney, while he also owns a winery at Heathcote.

Mr Jiang’s other media business, Global CAMG Media, which is 60 per cent owned by China Radio International, remains solvent.

China Radio International is operated by the Chinese government which has partnered with businessmen of Chinese origin in Australia, the US and Europe to roll out its content in these nations.

A report into Oster prepared by insolvency specialists Worrells says creditors are owed $5.6m although around $2.6m of this is to related parties.

Liquidator Matthew Jess has warned creditors not to expect a return.

Chinese-Australian media tycoon Tommy Jiang is also the backer of a $100m golf course in Sydney.

“It is expected that the funds currently on hand will be insufficient to enable a dividend to be paid to the creditors,” he says in the report.

“I have attempted to contact the director since my appointment, however, have received very limited information and assistance with my investigation.”

Key creditors include the Australian Taxation Office, which is owed close to $550,000 and radio group JLS Media, which leases out broadcast licenses, which is owed about $287,000.

It successfully sought a winding up order against Oster in the Victorian Supreme Court.

The Australian Dongbei Chinese Chamber of Commerce is owed $100,000 while Geelong Broadcasters, which owns K-Rock and Bay FM, is facing a $64,000 hit.

The Worrells report also says Oster may have traded while insolvent since June 2019 and engaged in voidable transactions such as preferential payments.

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