SYDNEY, Nov. 19 (People's Daily Online) -- On November 18, the Treasurer of Australian federal government Scott Morrison has ordered forced sale of seven properties held illegally by foreign investors.

“The seven residential properties are located across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Their purchase prices ranged from AU$154,000 in Bellingen, NSW to more than AU$5 million for a house in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn East,” Said Mr Morrison.

“This divestment shows that the Coalition Government's increased compliance measures, which critically include transferring responsibility for residential real estate enforcement to the Australian Taxation Office, are working,” Mr Morrison said.

Since the transfer in May, there have been over 1,044 matters investigated. Through information provided by the public and the enquiries from Australian Taxation Office, around 532 cases are under active investigation.

In addition, those foreign investors who have purchased established residential real estate without notifying the Foreign Investment Review Board will not get punished if they voluntarily explain to Australian Taxation Office before November 30. However, they are still required to sell the illegally held properties.