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Foreign influence can undermine our democracy, compromise local, state and national interests, and put the wellbeing of citizens, residents, and visitors at risk.

Both at a State and Federal level, the Liberal and Labor parties have a compromising relationship with the undemocratic Chinese Government. 

There has been increased influence of companies with strong links to foreign governments and overseas based developers on the major parties, often in the form of political donations and other largesse. Like all political donations that come from vested interests, this has a corrupting influence on our democracy.

The sale of state assets to businesses either owned by, or under the influence of, the Chinese Government, can risk Tasmania's food security and political autonomy.

We need to ensure that Tasmanian interests aren't undermined by the Liberal and Labor parties unhealthy relationship with undemocratic foreign governments. We also need proper scrutiny and transparency over foreign acquisitions.

 

What Can I Do?

You can write to the Premier Peter Gutwein and Leader of the Opposition Rebecca White and demand they a ban on foreign donations as part of the review of the Electoral Act 2004.

You can also ask the Premier to stop the office of the Coordinator-General from soliciting investment from the Chinese Government, and Chinese Government linked businesses, until a more appropriate foreign investment framework is in place.

 

In Parliament and the Media

Duties Amendment Bill 2019

Cassy O'Connor discusses foreign investment during a second reading speech on the Duties Amendment Bill 2019.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Legislation  |  Tuesday, 26 November 2019

George Town Airport Sale

Cassy O'Connor speaks during the adjournment on issues associated with the sale of George Town Airport to a Chinese company.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Wednesday, 25 September 2019

Fake Chinese Police Vehicles

The Chinese Government is an oppressive regime that uses fear and intimidation tactics to suppress dissent.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Motion  |  Wednesday, 4 September 2019

University of Tasmania - Freedom of Speech

In recent weeks pro-democracy students have posted a symbolic Lennon Wall at the University of Tasmania's student lounge, with hundreds of messages of support and solidarity for students fighting for their freedom in Hong Kong.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Question  |  Thursday, 8 August 2019

UTAS protests

Madam Deputy Speaker, I rise to speak about Hong Kong and the wave of students standing up for a free Hong Kong against the Chinese government.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Wednesday, 7 August 2019

Visa Cancellation of Liberal and Labor Donor Demands Repayment

The Tasmanian Liberals’ unethical decision to accept at least $30 000 from the Yuhu Group of companies, despite a warning from ASIO, has come back to bite them, with Yuhu’s founder refused re-entry to Australia because of his ties to Beijing.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 6 February 2019

Foreign Influence

Cassy O'Connor speaks during the adjournment on foreign influence and rebuts some of the arguments presented by Labor MP, Dr Broad.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Thursday, 27 September 2018

Foreign Influence in Local Government Elections

This is our democracy and what we have in Tasmania, here in Hobart, is a general manager's roll which has allowed 589 non-Australian citizens to be enrolled to vote in the next Hobart City Council elections.
Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Speech  |  Thursday, 27 September 2018

Foreign Influence in Local Government Elections

This is in order to give the House an opportunity to debate a matter it should have debated in the matter of public importance debate today, and that is foreign influence in Tasmania.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Thursday, 27 September 2018

Memoranda of Understanding Tasmanian and Chinese Governments

Cassy O'Connor moves a motion calling on the Premier to table all Memorandum of Understanding between the Chinese Government, or Chinese Government controlled entities, and the state of Tasmania or Tasmanian state entities.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Public Reaction to Planning Proposals

Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to celebrate the power of the community of people in Tasmania who have risen up from the east coast but much more broadly than there to declare their love for the place they live in and their determination to resist this massive development being proposed for the east coast.
Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Speech  |  Tuesday, 21 August 2018

East Coast Alliance and the Freycinet Action Network

I found that incredibly inspiring to see so many people from so many walks of life, no doubt from across the political spectrum, many of whom had travelled far to come to the Town Hall to stand up for Tasmania's east coast.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Cambria Green Development Proposal

The Cambria Green mega proposal is the catalyst for a growing alarm across the state that 'open for business' is trashing what makes this island special and that it is an open invitation to any and all developers.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Question  |  Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Cambria Green Development

On the morning of 21 April this year there was a signing ceremony between Beijing Lidaohengtong Culture and Art Company Limited and the Cambria Green Agricultural and Tourism Management Co. Limited at the Diaoyutai Hotel in Beijing.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Speech  |  Thursday, 14 June 2018

Cambria Green - Rezoning

The mega Cambria Green development on the east coast requires rezoning of agricultural land and is one of the largest planning scheme amendments and tourism developments ever proposed for Tasmania.
Rosalie Woodruff MP  |  Question  |  Thursday, 14 June 2018

Cambria Green Mega Development

Your Government's open-for-business mantra has most recently manifested itself in a 3185 hectare mega development proposal at Dolphin Sands on prime agricultural land on the east coast.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Question  |  Thursday, 14 June 2018

Donations Reform 'Review' a Cop Out

The beneficiary of Tasmania's weak donations' disclosure regime at the last election, the Premier, Will Hodgman, has announced a year-long review into electoral reforms.  This is the political equivalent of looking like you are taking action when, in fact, you are stalling.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Thursday, 3 May 2018

Liberals' Foreign Investor Tax Tinkering at the Edges

The Liberals are playing catch up on the growing level of foreign ownership and influence in Tasmania. Cashed up overseas buyers are not going to be dissuaded by a small tax hit.  The Liberals' policy will make no difference to housing availability, nor will it mean any less agricultural land ends up in foreign hands.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Friday, 9 February 2018

Foreign Ownership and Influence

Almost 25% of our state’s agricultural land is under a level of foreign ownership, and foreign donors are making large donations to the Liberals.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Political Party Donations - ASIO Advice

Why did the Tasmanian Liberal Party, which you lead, accept $30 000 from foreign donors after ASIO's warning to your federal counterparts?  Do you support the state Liberals' decision to accept this money despite ASIO's warning and security concerns? 
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Question  |  Tuesday, 31 October 2017

Liberals Refuse to Back Donations Reform

In a week where the Premier has failed to be transparent about a $30 000 donation from a Chinese owned company which ASIO warned about in 2015, it is no surprise the Liberals support the status quo, where voters don't know until 12-18 months after such a donation has been made.
Cassy O'Connor MP  |  Media Release  |  Wednesday, 1 November 2017