Former Tourism Australia executive admits misusing $50,000 in public funds
Former Tourism Australia executive Quan Liu admitted misusing nearly $50,000 in public funds and falsifying a letter to support her cousin’s Australian visa application. Prosecutors said she abused her senior public role and used the letter to make it appear the government would host her cousin, despite his earlier visa application being rejected.
Between 2022 and 2023, Liu took six business-class flights to China to visit her parents, who were affected by Covid, and had related accommodation paid for over 14 months. She pleaded guilty to eight offences, has repaid the money and was dismissed from Tourism Australia in 2023; her sentencing was adjourned until 6 November 2026. The court heard there was no suggestion her cousin or other relatives knew of her actions.
- Liu admitted misusing almost $50,000 in taxpayer funds.
- She also forged a letter supporting her cousin’s visa application.
- Sentencing is due on 6 November 2026.
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Tourism Australia is the Australian government agency that promotes the country to visitors and supports the tourism industry. Its senior staff may travel for work, but public money must be used for authorised purposes and accounted for.
Quan Liu was a former executive at the agency. The case concerns expenses she charged to public funds and a letter connected to her cousin’s visa application, which had previously been rejected.
The case matters because it involves the use of public money and the responsibilities attached to a senior government role. It also concerns the integrity of documents used in visa applications.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Tourism Australia executive admits stealing from taxpayers and falsifying documents to help secure a visa for her cousin”.