Following China's security pact with the Solomon Islands, Chinese Government-owned companies were parties to a hearing in the Supreme Court of Western Australia designed to circumvent the Australia Foreign Investment Review Board, Mineralogy Chairman Clive Palmer said today.
Mr Palmer confirmed that Chinese Government companies were seeking control over hundreds of square kilometres of Western Australian land and had not sought approval from the FIRB as required by Australian law.
He said the Chinese Government was unlawfully seeking control of Australian land in the Pilbara region.
"By commencing actions in the Supreme Court of Western Australia, the Chinese Government companies were creating tension between the court and the FIRB,'' Mr Palmer said.
"This is a tactic to divide and conquer our nation used frequently by the Communist-Government quest internationally.
"This is a serious attack on Australian sovereignty and the loyalty of Australian citizens assisting the Chinese Government-owned companies is a concern,'' Mr Palmer said.
"In essence, they are trying to gain control of the Port of Cape Preston without first seeking approval of the FIRB. All Australians should be alarmed. I have serious concerns for Australia's security.
"Mineralogy has not been able to gain access to its own tenements to inspect what the Chinese companies are actually doing at Cape Preston despite written agreements requiring such access.
"We received complaints from workers on site that there are secret activities going on. I believe the Minister of Defence must have the site inspected in the interests of the nation's security,'' Mr Palmer said.
"It is a matter of great concern that the Chinese Government companies are occupying a major Australian port and denying full access to Australian companies who own the right to the land where they are constructed,'' Mr Palmer said.
