Labor senator Penny Wong questions Prime Minister Scott Morrison's actions over China - ABC News

Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong has questioned the Prime Minister's decision to blast China in a televised press conference, which marked a new low in the relationship between Canberra and Beijing.

Key points:

• Labor senator Penny Wong says the Federal Government needs to "stop focusing on splashy headlines" in regards to China
• She urges the Prime Minister to be cautious in using new laws to veto agreements struck by state and local governments with foreign powers
• Senator Wong is disappointed Foreign Minister Marise Payne won't discuss China matters with her

"In diplomacy you always have to think about how you calibrate your response," Senator Wong said on the ABC's Insiders program.

"It is a big call to go directly, escalate directly to the national leader, and I hope that Scott Morrison thought very carefully about that decision.

"I hope that he took advice and thought carefully before he did escalate it to the national leader level when we responded."

Last week, Mr Morrison held a press conference to demand an apology from China within an hour of a Chinese Government official uploading a controversial image on Twitter taking aim at Australian soldiers.

"It is utterly outrageous and cannot be justified on any basis whatsoever. The Chinese Government should be totally ashamed of this post," Mr Morrison said.

The stylised picture depicted an Australian solider holding a bloodied knife to the neck of an Afghan child, and included a caption which read, "Don't be afraid, we are coming to bring you peace!"

A long-running investigation by the inspector-general of the Australian Defence Force has found credible evidence that Australia Special Forces unlawfully killed 39 prisoners and civilians in Afghanistan.

Labor has joined the condemnation of the tweet, but has been critical of the Government's broader handling of the relationship with Australia's biggest trading partner.

"The relationship is obviously in a very difficult and challenging place," Senator Wong said.

"I think the Government really does need to stop focusing on splashy headlines and work out what is it doing, how is it helping our exporters, how is it helping those who are so dependent, and have become more dependent on China for Australian jobs."

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Scott Morrison says the tweet from a Chinese Government spokesman was "repugnant".

Senator Wong urged the Federal Government to exercise caution when using new powers that would allow it to veto agreements struck by state and local governments with foreign powers on national security grounds.

Since 2012, Foreign Correspondent has reported on the rise of China during the Xi Jinping era. This special series looks back at some of the most interesting reporting in that time.

"I hope that this minister and this government use the power that the Parliament has given them wisely," she said.

Labor supports the Foreign Relations Bill, which is expected to pass Parliament this week, but Senator Wong would not say if the Government should use it to tear up Victoria's Belt and Road Initiative agreement with China.

"I think it should try to resolve this in a way that respects engagement with the State Government and that recognises that China will observe how this is handled carefully," Ms Wong said.

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"We have said we would not sign up to the BRI … our position is different from that of the Victorian Labor Government."

Senator Wong also expressed disappointment in Foreign Minister Marise Payne's reluctance to discuss with her how best to manage deteriorating ties with Australia's largest trading partner, saying her predecessor Julie Bishop was more consultative.

"I think generally it is good practice on these issues where you are dealing with an assertive, at times aggressive, great power which is China, for there to be stronger engagement with the Opposition," she said.

"I do recall many occasions on which Ms Bishop, and we had a fair few ding-dong battles, but she would call me and we would talk through how we would talk through particular issues.

"I regret that doesn't happen now."

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiY2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTEyLTA2L3Blbm55LXdvbmctcXVlc3Rpb25zLXNjb3R0LW1vcnJpc29uLWNoaW5hLXJlYWN0aW9ucy8xMjk1NDgzNtIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjk1NDgzNg?oc=5

2020-12-06 01:09:00Z
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