₹1.78 crore salary, ₹32 crore for taxpayer-funded flights: Why former tourism CFO convicted

Tourism Australia’s former chief financial officer has been sentenced after he used taxpayer-funded money to cover unauthorized business class flights and upgrades worth almost A$50,000 (approximately ₹32.39 lakh) while earning an annual salary of A$275,000 (around ₹1.78 billion crowns).

Quan Liu, also known as Christine Liu, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by the NSW District Court. However, he will reportedly serve his sentence in the community under an Intensive Corrections Order.

The case involves six trips to China over a 14-month period between 2022 and 2023, during which Liu allegedly obtained unauthorized flights and business class upgrades at taxpayer expense.

How much did Tourism Australia’s former CFO earn?

Liu earned an annual salary of A$275,000 (approx ₹1.78 crore) while serving as the CFO of the organization.

She was found to have ill-gotten nearly 50,000 Australian dollars (approx ₹32.39 lakh) on taxpayer-funded travel benefits through unauthorized flights and business class upgrades.

She was ordered by the court to repay approximately A$13,000 or thereabouts ₹8.42 lakh, in addition to A$36,000 (approx ₹23.32 lakh) has already been repaid.

Why was Quan Liu sentenced?

Liu pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage from a Commonwealth entity and falsifying official documents in relation to her cousin’s Australian business visa.

The charges were brought under Section 135.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 and Section 234(1)(a) (c) of the Migration Act 1958.

The court considered several factors in determining the sentence, including Liu’s remorse, rehabilitation, lack of prior convictions and onset of major depressive illness, as well as concerns related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Judge Ross Hudson told Liu: “This is a custodial sentence but you are serving this sentence in the community.”

The judge also warned her “that this matter will never leave you.”

AFP response to the case

AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said public officials entrusted with taxpayers’ resources were expected to act with integrity.

“Those entrusted with public resources have a responsibility to act with integrity and the AFP will not hesitate to investigate conduct that may breach that trust.”

The case highlights the responsibility expected of executives handling public funds and the consequences of misuse of taxpayer-funded resources.