Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

It wasn't that long ago that our Navy clearance divers had sonar used against them by the Chinese PLA. I remember that at that time, when we were speaking about it, we didn't hear the Prime Minister go out and condemn these actions. We didn't see the Minister for Defence condemn these actions. And it was quite disappointing for those involved. Not too long after that, we saw a Chinese fighter jet fire its flares at an Australian aircraft, putting the people inside in danger and their lives at risk. We didn't hear too much from the government about that. Even though we saw the Prime Minister meeting in China, there still wasn't much communication about condemning such actions.

Now we see a former Labor premier go over to China for their military display when it is clear that the CCP have not acted in good faith or as a friend to our military in the past. We haven't heard or seen condemnation from ministers in this government, but now we see a former Labor premier travelling overseas to see this military superpower demonstration. I think the former Labor premier Daniel Andrews must declare whether he has received any income, directly or indirectly, from the Chinese Communist Party. And who paid for this trip to China? Was any consular assistance provided, and did the Prime Minister facilitate any of that? Is the Attorney-General aware of whether Daniel Andrews has complied with the requirements of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme? The Attorney-General should report back to the House on the status of Daniel Andrews's compliance. The former Labor premier Daniel Andrews is on a taxpayer pension for life and is now undermining our national interests. That's why he has an obligation to answer the questions on whether he's on the payroll. That's why the Prime Minister must answer questions about his mate and former roommate Daniel Andrews.

At the summit of the dictators, Dan Andrews posed in the family photo with the leader of China, Xi Jinping; the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un; the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin; the President of Iran; and the leader of the hardline regime in Belarus. This is not a place where you would think the former leader of a state, or anyone, should be attending. This family photo that former premier Dan Andrews was in undermines our national security. It undermines us as a nation, but I think it also undermines the military, who are looking for leadership from those who have served in this place and in other state areas to stand up and say that these things are wrong, not sit alongside while the Soviet-style military parade was happening. China was showing off its long-range nuclear missiles, its hypersonic missiles, it's submarine-launched ballistic missiles—all of which are capable of reaching and threatening the Australian mainland. China's military parade also included new stealth attack drones, AI and lasers that are designed to wear down our defences.

I do not believe that former Labor premier Daniel Andrews should have been there, neither does former Labor premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. It should be condemned. There are questions the Prime Minister must answer and questions the Attorney-General must answer. Over the next four weeks, I hope that they can put together a statement to condemn this action.

See this speech in context