{{Short description|Malaysian-Australian politician (born 1967)}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = The Honourable | name = Jing Lee | image = Assistant Minister Jing Lee 2018.jpg | honorific_suffix = | office = Member of the South Australian Legislative Council | term_start = 20 March 2010 | term_end = 21 March 2026 | office1 = Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council | term_start1 = 19 April 2022 | term_end1 = 10 January 2025 | predecessor1 = | successor1 = Heidi Girolamo | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1967|7|12}} | birth_place = Malaysia | party = Jing Lee – Better Community <br> (22 May 2025 – present) <ref>https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Search/Member?type=member&id=4362</ref> | other_party = Independent <br> (10 January 2025 – 22 May 2025) <br> Liberal <br> (20 March 2010 – 10 January 2025) | spouse = | occupation = Politician | website = {{URL|https://www.jinglee.com.au}} | alma_mater = University of South Australia | caption = Lee in 2018 | birth_name = Jing Shyuan Lee | module = {{Infobox Chinese |child = yes |s = 李菁璇 |t = 李菁璇 |p = Lǐ Jīngxuán}} }} '''Jing Shyuan Lee''' (born 12 June 1967){{citation needed|date=August 2025}} is a Malaysian-Australian politician elected to the South Australian Legislative Council for the South Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia since the 2010 state election.<ref name="SA parl">{{Cite SA-parl|pid=4362|name=Hon Jing Lee|former=|access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref> She resigned from the Liberal Party on 10 January 2025. She was formerly the president of the Asia Pacific Business Council for Women.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.apbcw.com.au/2010advisory-committee.htm |title=2010 Advisory Committee Members |publisher=Asia Pacific Business Council for Women |access-date=7 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218081058/http://www.apbcw.com.au/2010advisory-committee.htm |archive-date=18 February 2011 }}</ref>
== Early life and education == Jing Shyuan Lee<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Hon Jing Lee |url=https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Search/Member?type=member&id=4362 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702111144/https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Search/Member?type=member&id=4362 |archive-date=2025-07-02 |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=Parliament of South Australia |language=en}}</ref> was born in Malaysia to a Hakka father and mother from Hainan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rank.aoweibang.com/item/aBpyEX/|title=壹本周刊第51期, 封面人物专访：心系民生，服务多元文化社区 — 南澳州上议院议员州长副部长 李菁璇 Jing Lee|date=2018-07-08|access-date=2026-03-22|website=AoWeiBang|language=zh}}</ref> She completed primary school in 1979 before emigrating to South Australia at the age of 13.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |title=About Jing |url=https://www.jinglee.com.au/about_jing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307055632/https://www.jinglee.com.au/about_jing |archive-date=2025-03-07 |access-date=2025-09-14 |work=Jing Lee |language=en}}</ref> She began her education in Australia through an English language program and then continued in the public school system. After finishing high school, she studied business management at the University of South Australia.{{citation needed|date=August 2025}}
== Political career == {{Infobox political party | name = Jing Lee – Better Community | logo = | colorcode = {{Australian party style|Better Community}} | leader = Jing Lee | foundation = {{Start date|2025|05}} | ideology = {{plainlist| * Localism }} | website = {{URL|https://jinglee.com.au/}} | registered = {{Start date|2025|05|22}} | country = South Australia | colors = {{Color box|Purple|border=silver}} Purple | slogan = ''Putting community first'' | seats1_title = SA Legislative Council | seats1 = {{Composition bar|0|22|{{Australian party style|Better Community}}}} }} left|thumb|Lee (third from the right) in 2016
Lee entered the South Australian Parliament on 20 March 2010 following the state election. From 8 December 2011 to 8 February 2013, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Small Business, and concurrently from 8 December 2011 to 24 January 2017, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs. She then held the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Education, Families and Training from 8 February 2013 to 24 January 2017. From 25 January 2017 to 16 March 2018, she was Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, Trade and Investment and Small Business.<ref name=":1" />
In March 2018, Lee ran for re-election to the Legislative Council from fourth place on the party’s ticket, a position that was not guaranteed due to competition from minor parties. To improve her chances, she conducted an extensive poster campaign across metropolitan Adelaide, focusing particularly on the CBD and Chinatown, using the slogan "stronger together." Supporters helped by placing posters widely to increase her visibility.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fedorowytsch |first=Tom |date=2018-03-09 |title=SA MP's election poster blitz catches eyes across Adelaide |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-09/sa-liberal-candidate-jing-lee-pushing-for-upper-house-election/9523396 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114232251/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-09/sa-liberal-candidate-jing-lee-pushing-for-upper-house-election/9523396 |archive-date=2025-01-14 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-AU}}</ref> She was later appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, serving from 5 April 2018 to 18 March 2022.<ref name=":1" />
In July 2018, Lee was photographed with former presidents of the South Australian Xinjiang Association and the Chinese Consul-General in Adelaide at an event welcoming the consul-general to Australia. The association, described as Han-dominated and supported by China's diplomatic mission, has been criticised by researchers who argue it aligns with the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) United Front Work Department and promotes narratives that minimise Uyghur persecution in Xinjiang. Lee's involvement with the group was part of her wider engagement with multicultural organisations, some of which have been criticised for political ties to Beijing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Lin |last2=Leibold |first2=James |date=2022-07-06 |title=The Chinese Communist Party's overseas influence operations seek to alter the Xinjiang narrative |url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-chinese-communist-partys-overseas-influence-operations-seek-to-alter-the-xinjiang-narrative/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317200605/https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-chinese-communist-partys-overseas-influence-operations-seek-to-alter-the-xinjiang-narrative/ |archive-date=2025-03-17 |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=The Strategist |language=en-AU}}</ref>
In September 2020, the Liberal Party endorsed Lee as its preferred candidate for president of the South Australian Legislative Council, alongside Josh Teague for Speaker, at a party meeting in Hahndorf. Lee won the party vote against John Dawkins by seven votes to two. However, Dawkins was ultimately elected president by the council and subsequently expelled from the Liberal Party.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=Tom |date=2020-09-04 |title=A party divided: Libs in turmoil as factions declare war |url=https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/archive/2020/09/04/a-party-divided-libs-in-turmoil-as-factions-declare-war |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=InDaily |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Penberthy |first=David |date=4 September 2020 |title=Federal liberal MPs push for investigation into South Australian MP Jing Lee over alleged China links |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/federal-liberal-mps-push-for-investigation-into-south-australian-mp-jing-lee-over-alleged-china-links/news-story/7dd7a582eebe4fe4435bbd513e68a4dd |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211126032248/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/federal-liberal-mps-push-for-investigation-into-south-australian-mp-jing-lee-over-alleged-china-links/news-story/7dd7a582eebe4fe4435bbd513e68a4dd |archive-date=26 November 2021 |access-date=4 September 2020 |work=The Australian}}</ref>
Lee's appointment drew scrutiny due to her links with the Xinjiang Association, which denies persecution of China's Uyghur minority. Reports claimed she advised MPs against meeting the Falun Gong group to avoid offending Beijing and supported South Australia joining the One Belt, One Road initiative.<ref name=":2" /> She has hosted the Xinjiang Association in Parliament, attended its events alongside Chinese consular officials, and spoken at pro-Beijing functions. Uyghur community leaders in South Australia say Lee has not engaged with their community and accuse the association of acting as a propaganda front.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Penberthy |first=David |author-link=David Penberthy |date=2020-08-28 |title=Uighur outrage at Liberal MP Jing Lee's links with Beijing propaganda arm |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/uighur-outrage-at-liberal-mp-jing-lees-links-with-beijing-propaganda-arm/news-story/205b9f4f4a3e1150855f48574d422579 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210719053051/https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/uighur-outrage-at-liberal-mp-jing-lees-links-with-beijing-propaganda-arm/news-story/205b9f4f4a3e1150855f48574d422579 |archive-date=2021-07-19 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=The Australian}}</ref>
Concern over her ties led Tony Pasin, Nicolle Flint, and Alex Antic to call for an inquiry, and an online petition requested ASIO investigate her apparent connections to the CCP. Lee denied the allegations, describing them as unfounded and part of a smear campaign motivated by sexism, racism, and political opposition to her candidacy. She defended her work with multicultural groups, including the Xinjiang Association.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henson |first=Elizabeth |date=2020-09-30 |title=Liberal MP Jing Lee and Xinjiang Association of SA both deny connections to the Chinese Communist Party |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/liberal-mp-jing-lee-and-xinjiang-association-of-sa-both-deny-connections-to-the-chinese-communist-party/news-story/dd2da7d21ebabfadbdffd5b6b916517f |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210719053042/https://amp.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/liberal-mp-jing-lee-and-xinjiang-association-of-sa-both-deny-connections-to-the-chinese-communist-party/news-story/dd2da7d21ebabfadbdffd5b6b916517f#selection-301.0-485.101 |archive-date=2021-07-19 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=AdelaideNow}}</ref> Following media reports, photos of Lee at association events were removed from her social media accounts, and some federal MPs urged a national security investigation into her reported links to the Chinese government.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Penberthy |first=David |date=2020-08-29 |title=SA Liberal MP Jing Lee wipes photos over alleged Beijing links |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sa-liberal-mp-jing-lee-wipes-photos-over-alleged-beijing-links/news-story/82591f017e65d31f8f0a88e2fa1cc798 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211126033408/https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sa-liberal-mp-jing-lee-wipes-photos-over-alleged-beijing-links/news-story/82591f017e65d31f8f0a88e2fa1cc798 |archive-date=2021-11-26 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=The Australian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Matt |date=2020-09-03 |title=Federal Liberal MPs push for investigation into SA Upper House president nominee Jing Lee's links to China |url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/federal-liberal-mps-push-for-investigation-into-sa-upper-house-president-jing-lees-links-to-china/news-story/85bfb7669b9b7daf4a04ba2eb8923e39 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=The Advertiser}}</ref>
In September 2020, Lee was selected by the Liberal Party as its preferred candidate to become President of the South Australian Legislative Council, where the party did not hold a majority. Dawkins also nominated for the role and was elected by the council, leading to his expulsion from the Liberal Party.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-09-09 |title='White-hot anger': SA Liberals expel John Dawkins from party |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-09/sa-legislative-council-president-fallout-continues/12644144 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708015412/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-09/sa-legislative-council-president-fallout-continues/12644144 |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> From 21 April 2022 to 29 January 2023, Lee served as Shadow Minister for Communities. She also held the positions of Shadow Minister for Multicultural South Australia and Shadow Minister for Tourism and Hospitality from 21 April 2022 to 19 August 2024. On 19 April 2022, she was appointed Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, a role she retained until 10 January 2025. Additionally, from 19 April 2024 to 10 January 2025, she served as Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and from 19 August 2024 to 10 January 2025, as Shadow Minister for Tourism.<ref name=":1" />
{{short description|Political party in South Australia}}In October 2024, Lee said she was "blindsided by fear" and entered "panic mode" after being put in a situation that made her fear for her Upper House preselection. This pressure led her to withdraw from a pairing arrangement with Michelle Lensink, who was on medical leave for cancer treatment, just minutes before a vote on abortion legislation, forcing Lensink to rush to Parliament. Lee described the incident as a "horrible experience" and said she felt "very vulnerable," without naming who in the party was responsible.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-10-30 |title=More Liberal shambles as Lib MP tearfully reveals her “fear” amid far-right threat |url=https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/more-liberal-shambles-as-lib-mp-tearfully-reveals-her-fear-amid-far-right-threat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425032514/https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/more-liberal-shambles-as-lib-mp-tearfully-reveals-her-fear-amid-far-right-threat |archive-date=2025-04-25 |access-date=2025-08-09 |website=Premier of South Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Biggs |first=Harvey |date=2024-10-29 |title=Liberal MP went into 'panic mode' before voting on abortion law amendments |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-29/sa-jing-lee-apologises-for-reneged-deal/104532858 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723202410/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-29/sa-jing-lee-apologises-for-reneged-deal/104532858 |archive-date=2025-07-23 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-AU}}</ref> On 10 January 2025, Lee resigned from the Liberal Party to sit as an Independent, citing the 2023 parliamentary dispute over abortion legislation and concerns about her preselection position as key factors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=MacLennan |first=Leah |date=2025-01-19 |title=Jing Lee's defection is the latest in a long line by SA Liberals |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-19/mp-jing-lee-defection-the-latest-for-sa-liberals/104828928 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124020703/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-19/mp-jing-lee-defection-the-latest-for-sa-liberals/104828928 |archive-date=2025-01-24 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Olivia |date=2025-01-11 |title=Senior SA Liberal announces resignation from party |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-11/another-member-of-sa-liberal-party-announces-resignation/104807536 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708015412/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-11/another-member-of-sa-liberal-party-announces-resignation/104807536 |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |language=en-AU}}</ref> She stepped down from her Shadow Portfolios, with Vincent Tarzia expressing disappointment.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Kelsall |first=Thomas |date=2025-01-13 |title=Preselection threat hangs over senior SA Liberal's resignation |url=https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/in-depth/2025/01/13/preselection-threat-hangs-over-senior-liberals-resignation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724144645/https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/in-depth/2025/01/13/preselection-threat-hangs-over-senior-liberals-resignation |archive-date=2025-07-24 |access-date=2025-08-09 |work=InDaily |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In May 2025, she founded Jing Lee – Better Community, a new political party.<ref name=":3" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.jinglee.com.au/}} * {{Cite SA-parl|pid=4362|name=Hon Jing Lee|former=|access-date=11 January 2025}}
{{SACurrentMLCs}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Jing}} Category:Members of the South Australian Legislative Council Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of South Australia Category:University of South Australia alumni Category:21st-century Australian politicians Category:Malaysian emigrants to Australia Category:Women members of the South Australian Legislative Council Category:21st-century Australian women politicians Category:Australian politicians of Chinese descent Category:Hainanese people Category:Hakka politicians