The Treasurer, Scott Morrison announced the latest forced sales as part of the government’s ongoing review of foreign property investment.

Mr Morrison said while they recognised the benefits that foreign investment could give Australia, they needed to make sure buyers conformed to the rules.

The properties are in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the cheapest was a property bought for $154,000 in Bellingen in New South Wales.

The most expensive was a $5.2 million house in Melbourne’s Hawthorne East which was bought by a Chinese businessman last year.

CHINESE TYCOON FORCED TO SELL HIS MELBOURNE MANSION

OVERSEAS OWNERS OF MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GOLD COAST HOME HAVE A YEAR TO SELL UP

The Helensvale property. Picture: realestate.com.auSource:Supplied

Mr Morrison said an investigation by the Australian Taxation Office discovered the Hawthorn East property had been bought without government approval.

“(the) Other existing residential property purchases had been initially compliant but were subsequently held in breach of the foreign investment rules as a result of changed circumstances, and shall also be divested,’’ he said.

An order to sell a commercial property in Canterbury in Victoria also been made as it was ruled the purchase by Iranian national was contrary to Australia’s national interest.

To date the federal government has forced the sale of 19 properties owned by foreign nationals.

THE PROPERTIES TO BE SOLD

Hawthorn East, Victoria $5.2 million - China

Helensvale, Queensland - $2.5 million - China

Bellingen, New South Wales - $154,000 - Germany

Springvale, Victoria - $802,000 - China

Carlton, Victoria - $245,000 - Hong Kong

Carlton, Victoria - $225,000 - Hong Kong

Carlton, Victoria - $585,000 - China

Property where application to acquire denied

Canterbury, Victoria (Final Order)$4.4 million - Iran