Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews‘ government backed thousands of ‘golden ticket’ visas via a program allegedly abused for money laundering.
New figures reveal the Victorian Government nominated a total of 5,277 magnates, mostly Chinese migrants, on the visa known as Australia’s ‘Golden Ticket’.
The Andrews administration backed 3,445 visas between 2014 and 2018 via the ‘fraud-prone’ program which was axed by the Federal Government last year after damning reviews.
Department of Home Affairs data reveals Victoria’s Golden Tickets dwarfed the rest of the nation’s states and territories, which only signed off a combined 4,920 visas.
Applicants were required to contribute at least $5million into ‘complying, high-growth Australian assets for at least four years’.
These investments included putting at least $1.5million into ‘small-cap companies’ listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
The program was viewed as a gateway to permanent residency with initial visa application costs for the main applicant coming in at $14,670.
Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews approved 3445 visas between 2014 and 2018
Andrews was filmed being greeted by President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan on a red carpet procession in China
If a person didn’t speak English they needed to pay an ‘extra charge’ to secure their visa.
State governments were responsible for nominating candidates who would then be processed and approved by the Department of Home Affairs.
Andrews pressed on with the scheme despite a 2016 Productivity Commission review finding the program was ‘prone to fraud’.
The review found evidence of ‘rorting and money laundering’ while also highlighting ‘investments were of little economic benefit’.
It also warned the visa ‘attracted individuals perceived to have less business acumen’, before finally recommending the program’s termination
However, the Victorian government promoted the visa for years after the warnings and it was central in multiple trips Andrews made to China.
The Golden Ticket jackpot coincided with Andrews giving the 2018 Belt and Road Initiative deal in Victoria the greenlight.
The controversial deal was ripped up by the federal government in 2021 due to ‘national security concerns’.
One of Andrews’ more recent public appearance was when he was snapped in China while watching a huge Communist military parade in September
The program, which was launched in 2012, was found to ‘offer minimal economic benefit’ and, in some cases, it was ‘exploited for money laundering’.
It’s been reported Victorian visa recipients pledged $8.1billion in investments to the state’s economy but it’s unclear where the money was spent.
Magnates from mainland China secured 4436 visas, which was the majority approved and obtained under the scheme.
Hong Kong came in second with 369 visas approved, followed by Malaysia with 118. Only 30 visas from the US, 15 from Japan, and 14 from the UK were approved.
In the meantime, Andrews is still recovering from a serious health issue.
The 53-year-old was taken to Monash Clayton Hospital in Melbourne’s southeast just before Christmas and reportedly remains in a ‘very bad way’ amid speculation he has suffered some kind of stroke.
One of Andrews’ more recent public appearances was when he was snapped in China while watching a huge Communist military parade in September.
Andrews was filmed being greeted by President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan on a red carpet procession before the parade kicked off.
Andrews (pictured above with wife Catherine) is battling a serious health issue
Andrews and Xi shook hands for several seconds as both men appeared to exchange warm pleasantries.
It is understood that Andrews was attending in a personal capacity, plying his trade as a lobbyist after leaving political office.