Director Dan’s not just focused on China

Daniel Andrews’ business ambitions are not limited to China, his new partner says.

Daniel Andrews and Marty Mei. Picture: Supplied

Daniel Andrews’ new business partner and former chief government adviser on China has revealed the ex-premier’s investment focus will not be limited to the communist superpower.

Chinese Australian businessman Zheng Mei, also known as Marty Mei, was tight-lipped on Sunday when asked about his new venture with his former boss.

“Of course, I understand that, but yeah, I can’t comment,” he told The Australian.

Asked if the business was going to focus mainly on Chinese investment, Mr Zheng said: “I really can’t talk about that now, but it’s not really limited to a place.”

As revealed by The Weekend Australian on Saturday, Mr Andrews launched his post-political business career last week by establishing two companies and partnering with Mr Zheng.

Australian Securities & Investments Commission documents show Mr Andrews and Mr Zheng are joint shareholders in Wedgetail Partners Pty Ltd. Mr Zheng holds one share in the business and Mr Andrews controls nine shares through a second firm he registered, Glencairn Street.

Both Wedgetail and Glencairn Street, according to ASIC documents, are based on the ground floor of an office at 470 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.

The tower is also the headquarters for the Beck Property Group, a company owned by billionaire property developer Max Beck, one of the ex-premier’s close friends.

Glencairn Street was registered last Wednesday and Mr ­Andrews is the sole director, secretary and shareholder.

Marty Mei on a flight with Daniel Andrews. Picture: Supplied

Wedgetail was registered on Thursday, with Mr Andrews sole director and secretary. The documents were lodged with ASIC on Mr Andrews’ behalf by law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler.

Mr Zheng, who played a key role in the Andrews government’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative deal with Beijing, accompanied Mr Andrews on as many as six official government visits to China, including last year’s surprise, secretive trade mission, and he was instrumental in BRI negotiations with Beijing in 2017 and 2018.

After arriving in Melbourne as an international student in 2006, Mr Zheng worked for former Labor MP Hong Lim before joining Mr Andrews’ office in 2014, after he was elected premier.

Six months before he retired as Victoria’s leader, Mr Andrews and Mr Zheng embarked on a controversial, secretive four-day trade mission to China.

Mr Andrews could not be reached for comment.