JULIE Bishop has responded angrily to questions over the “Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation” which was set up by one of the Liberal Party’s largest donors, a Adelaide-based Chinese mining magnate.

The Foreign Affairs Minister was quizzed in Parliament today over what she knew about the foundation, which was set up last April by businesswoman Sally Zou.

It comes amid growing concerns about Chinese influence in Australian politics through foreign donations.

Earlier this year, Ms Zou was revealed as the South Australian Liberal Party’s largest donor by a huge margin, with her company Aus Gold Mining Group kicking in $360,000 last financial year.

Aus Gold also donated $100,000 to the federal branch of the Australian Liberal Party.

Ms Zou, who is the sole shareholder in the company, is also a key financial backer of Port Adelaide Football Club, and is the primary financial supporter behind the Club’s “Open to the World” campaign, with match day sponsorship rights of the Power’s match in Shanghai in May.

media_camera A recently-deleted tweet from Sally Zou. media_camera Another recently deleted tweet from the mining magnate.

Ms Bishop threw the spotlight back on Labor senator Sam Dastyari in Question Time today while firmly denying she knew about the foundation.

“I can stand here and be proud of my record,” Ms Bishop said.

“Labor is covered in shame.”

Ms Bishop said all donations to the Liberal Party had been declared in accordance with the rules.

“I know why the Labor Party is putting up this straw man argument, because the Leader of the Opposition has failed to investigate the very serious allegations against Senator Sam Dastyari, whom he then restored to his leadership position,” she said.

Senator Dastyari last year lost his frontbench position over letting a company with links to the Chinese Government pay a $1,670.82 bill incurred by his office.

He was restored to the frontbench this year.

media_camera Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop speaks during Question Time today. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

media_camera Labor Senator Sam Dastyari has been feeling the heat over the Chinese business donations scandal. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Last week Senator Dastyari was singled out in an ABC’s Four Corners and Fairfax Media investigation for attempting to help a Chinese businessman gain citizenship after intelligence agency ASIO had warned Australia’s three major parties about accepting donations from the man.

Several Coalition MPs came to Ms Bishop’s defence today, including the Prime Minister who said he would respect the Labor Party’s calls for action on foreign donations more if not for Senator Dastyari’s case.

Mr Turnbull said new foreign donations laws would be introduced to Parliament in the spring session.

Ms Bishop confirmed last week that she had met Ms Zou at a number of functions but she had not known about the foundation.

The foundation’s name was changed to ‘Glorious Foundation’ nine days after it was established.