Morrison puts spotlight on dodgy investors

Scott Morrison has thrown down the gauntlet to foreign investors illegally buying residential properties in Australia, saying they simply aren't going to get away with it.

The treasurer announced the forced sale of seven properties, ranging from $5.2 million to as low as $154,000, on Wednesday.

The houses in Victoria, NSW and Queensland would be sold after their owners breached foreign investment rules.

An Iranian investor's application to buy a property in Victoria worth $4.4 million was also denied.

Mr Morrison said under the enforcement of the Australian Taxation Office, foreign investors who try to get around Australia's laws aren't going to get away with it.

"That's my simple message. We're not going to put up with it," he told reporters in Sydney.

"I think people know I have a pretty strong history when it comes to enforcing the law in this country, whether it's on our borders or in our social welfare system or in foreign investment."

He said integrity of the law builds greater confidence in legitimate operations.

"Australia welcomes foreign investment but at all times foreign investors must comply with our laws," he said.

THE SEVEN PROPERTIES INVOLVED

Hawthorn East Vic, $5,200,000 (China)

Helensvale Qld, $2,500,000 (China)

Bellingen NSW, $154,000 (Germany)

Springvale Vic $802,000 (China)

Carlton Vic, $245,000 (Hong Kong)

Carlton Vic, $225,000 (Hong Kong)

Carlton Vic, $585,000 (China)