Liberal Party fund-raiser Ben Chow claims his land developments in Sydney and Brisbane had nothing to do with his government roles. "I wear different hats."
A TOP Liberal fund-raiser and friend of Prime Minister John Howard has been appointed to important Federal Government positions despite an involvement in questionable land deals.
Described by Mr Howard three years ago as a "very good friend", Mr Chow also admits lobbying immigration ministers up to 150 times on behalf of people in the Chinese community seeking favourable visa decisions, including while he served as a member of the Government's Council for a Multicultural Australia in 2000-06.
The visa issue has caused trouble for the Government in the past. In 2003, then immigration minister Philip Ruddock faced a Senate inquiry into the "cash for visas" affair after it was revealed he made a number of interventions in immigration cases connected to a Liberal donor from Sydney's Lebanese community.
The revelations about Mr Chow's past conduct as a property developer, his friendship with Mr Howard and status as a Liberal fund-raiser are again likely to raise questions about the Government's process for making appointments to federal boards and committees — which its political opponents have alleged are stacked with Liberal mates.
Mr Ruddock, now Attorney-General, appointed Mr Chow as a member of the Council for a Multicultural Australia in 2000.
He served as chairman from 2002 until 2006. The council advises the Immigration Minister on multicultural policy and promotes racial harmony. In performing this role, Mr Chow represented Australia in overseas forums and was paid $2012 to attend four meetings each year.
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