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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

Speech

Tuesday, 26 November 2019

Duties Amendment Bill 2019 - Second Reading

Cassy O'Connor MP - Cassy O'Connor discusses foreign investment during a second reading speech on the Duties Amendment Bill 2019.



Speech

Wednesday, 25 September 2019

Adjournment - George Town Airport Sale

Cassy O'Connor MP - Cassy O'Connor speaks during the adjournment on issues associated with the sale of George Town Airport to a Chinese company.



Motion

Wednesday, 4 September 2019

Greens Motion - Fake Chinese Police Vehicles

Cassy O'Connor MP - Cassy moves a motion calling on the Attorney-General to develop an amendment Bill to ban in Tasmania, the impersonation of any law enforcement agency of any jurisdiction.



Question

Thursday, 8 August 2019

University of Tasmania - Freedom of Speech

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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.



Speech

Wednesday, 7 August 2019

UTAS protests

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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.



Media Release

Wednesday, 6 February 2019

Visa Cancellation of Liberal and Labor Donor Demands Repayment

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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.



Speech

Thursday, 27 September 2018

Adjournment - Foreign Influence

Cassy O'Connor MP - Cassy O'Connor speaks during the adjournment on foreign influence and rebuts some of the arguments presented by Labor MP, Dr Broad.



Speech

Thursday, 27 September 2018

Foreign Influence in Local Government Elections

Rosalie Woodruff MP -

Dr WOODRUFF (Franklin) - Mr Deputy Speaker, the Greens have been trying to raise this issue and elevate it above the slanging match that has been coming from Government members in an absolutely outrageous, cowardly, naïve and incredibly foolish response to what is a serious situation and serious threat to democracy in Tasmania that is unfolding before us. 



Speech

Thursday, 27 September 2018

Foreign Influence in Local Government Elections

Cassy O'Connor MP -

Ms O'CONNOR (Denison - Leader of the Greens) - Mr Deputy Speaker, I move -

That the debate on the Justice and Related Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2018 be adjourned until tomorrow.



Speech

Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Greens Private Members Time - Memoranda of Understanding Tasmanian and Chinese Governments Motion

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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.



Speech

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Public Reaction to Planning Proposals

Rosalie Woodruff MP - 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.



Speech

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

East Coast Alliance and the Freycinet Action Network

Cassy O'Connor MP -

Ms O'CONNOR (Denison - Leader of the Greens) - Madam Speaker, I wanted to give the House an update on the Town Hall meeting today which was organised by the East Coast Alliance and the Freycinet Action Network in response to increasing development pressures on Tasmania's beautiful east coast. We went there not long after the bells rang at 1 o'clock and we could not get in the door without having to move people aside. It was an absolutely packed Town Hall, standing room only.



Question

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Cambria Green Development Proposal

Cassy O'Connor MP -

Ms O'CONNOR question to PREMIER, Mr HODGMAN



Speech

Thursday, 14 June 2018

Matter of Public Importance - Cambria Green Development

Cassy O'Connor MP -

MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

Cambria Estate, Swansea

Ms O'CONNOR (Denison - Leader of the Greens - Motion) - Madam Speaker, I move -

That the House take notice of the following matter: Cambria Estate, Swansea.



Question

Thursday, 14 June 2018

Cambria Green - Rezoning

Rosalie Woodruff MP -

Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for PLANNING, Mr JAENSCH



Question

Thursday, 14 June 2018

Cambria Green Mega Development

Cassy O'Connor MP -

Ms O'CONNOR question to PREMIER, Mr HODGMAN

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. The footprint of the Cambria Green development proposal is massive. It is unlike anything Tasmania has seen before.



Media Release

Thursday, 3 May 2018

Donations Reform 'Review' a Cop Out

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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.



Media Release

Friday, 9 February 2018

Liberals' Foreign Investor Tax Tinkering at the Edges

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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.



Media Release

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Foreign Ownership and Influence

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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.



Question

Tuesday, 31 October 2017

Political Party Donations - ASIO Advice

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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? 



Media Release

Wednesday, 1 November 2017

Liberals Refuse to Back Donations Reform

Cassy O'Connor MP - 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.