In short:
Wyndham councillor Larry Zhao denies sending a council-branded invitation to Chinese officials. The incident has renewed debate over how council correspondence is monitored and approved.
Council Letter Controversy Engulfs Wyndham
Wyndham councillor Larry Zhao has found himself caught in a diplomatic tangle after a letter bearing his name and official council letterhead invited a delegation of Chinese officials to Australia “on behalf of Wyndham City Council” — despite no approval ever being given.
The incident comes just months after Cr Zhao and two other Wyndham councillors visited China in September for cultural meetings.
The letter, addressed to six Chinese officials, invited them to visit between 19–23 October to tour RMIT University and Wyndham’s SPARK Innovation Centre. It stated the purpose was to “learn about investment and science and technology innovation projects,” and was signed “Cr Larry Zhao” under the Wyndham City logo.
Council sources have confirmed the invitation was not authorised, and that a prior request to invite the same delegation had been formally declined in July.
The issue escalated when the Australian Embassy in Beijing contacted Wyndham City to verify the letter’s legitimacy after it was used to support visa applications. Council officers reportedly confirmed that no such authorisation had been given.
Cr Zhao has firmly denied sending the correspondence, telling WyndhamTV,
“I didn’t send the letter to China as I didn’t send the letter to the Herald Sun,” Cr Zhao said. “Who sent the letter and why? Was it to stop me for Deputy Mayor election on Wednesday?”
Cr Zhao, elected in 2024, also serves as president of the Asian Business Association of Wyndham.
A Wyndham City spokesperson said the organisation “does not comment on any potential investigations involving individual councillors.”
A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said the department has “policies and procedures for managing and escalating concerns,” but would not say whether the delegates’ visas were granted.
The matter has prompted fresh discussion about internal governance and how council correspondence is monitored when international relations are involved.
Wyndham TV makes no claim that Cr Zhao or any staff member at Wyndham City Council wrote a letter, altered a letter, disseminated a letter about inviting delegates from China or has committed any wrongdoing, but is reporting on community concerns
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