Gladys Liu promised to write references for foreign students

Embattled Liberal MP Gladys Liu promised she would write references for foreign students — which could lead to permanent residency — in return for volunteering on her campaign at this year’s federal election.

Besieged MP Gladys Liu promised on Chinese social media she would write references for foreign students in return for volunteering on her campaign at this year’s federal election.

The references, to help the students find jobs which could lead to permanent residency, came along with the offer of internships in her office if she was elected in Chisholm.

The Herald Sun can also reveal:

— The first document showing Chinese Communist Party-linked groups donated to try and elect Ms Liu to state Parliament in 2014.

— Links between one of Ms Liu’s former campaign organisers and groups tied to China’s United Front operation for overseas influence.

— A photograph of Ms Liu’s post-election celebration in Box Hill of a sign championing China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative.

A post-election celebration for Chisholm volunteers in Box Hill on June 30.

Leading up to this year’s election, Ms Liu’s campaign sent WeChat messages offering to act as a “career referee” for Chinese students who did an “outstanding job” volunteering.

Volunteers were promised a “thank you letter” signed by Ms Liu, with those who worked on the campaign at least once a week offered a letter from Liberal state president Robert Clark.

The message said the references were “believed to increase the chance for the students to find a job in Australia upon graduation”.

“For those devoted volunteers, Gladys is happy to provide internship opportunity during holidays to those who are interested in learning more about how Australia politics operates,” it said.

In 2014, Ms Liu received donations from Communist Party-linked groups at a fundraising dinner — headlined by former premier Ted Baillieu — for her failed bid to become an upper house MP.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Gladys Liu at her campaign launch at the Box Hill Golf Club.

The donating organisations included powerful Chinese media conglomerate Ostar, run by Tommy Jiang.

A brochure also listed the Shanghainese Association of Australia — tied to the Shanghai branch of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, part of the United Front — as well as the Australia Guangdong Commerce Council and the Australian Zhejiang United Association.

It included the United Chinese Commerce Association and the Australian Jiangmen General Commercial Association, of which Ms Liu had been an honorary president for both.

Several of the donating organisations also sponsored a 2014 event for state Labor MP Hong Lim.

Liu wipes away tears during Question Time.

Ms Liu said: “I am a proud Australian, passionately committed to serving the people of Chisholm, and I won’t get distracted by Labor’s continued personal attacks.”

But Communist Party interference expert Professor Clive Hamilton said Ms Liu “becomes obligated when she accepts funds from people linked to the Chinese Communist Party”

“Gladys Liu boasts about her fundraising ability. If she upsets Beijing then much of the funding will dry up,” he said.

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The dinner brochure named Ms Liu’s organising committee including Christy Guo, who has Communist Party links, worked for Ostar, and has been a key figure in two groups which donated.

Dinner guests were able to bid on auction items including afternoon tea at state Parliament with Liberal MPs.

Senate leader Mathias Cormann will on Wednesday be forced to explain Ms Liu’s links to groups tied to the Chinese Communist Party after a successful Labor motion.