THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

ALBANESE GOVERNMENT WEAK ON OUR NATIONAL INTERESTS

Friday 21 February 2025

When will the Prime Minister and his Defence Minister stand up for the Australian national interest and insist on mutual respect from their Chinese counterparts?

The Chinese government has built a blue-water navy to project power into the Pacific region. They are now using gunboat diplomacy to test US allies like Australia.

This latest provocation by the Chinese navy comes after continued weakness from the Prime Minister.

Our Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel on routine lawful patrols in the region have been targeted by the People’s Liberation Army with dangerous and provocative manoeuvres with flares, chaff and sonar.

For two and a half years, Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles have refused to stand up for our ADF personnel.

Labor’s silence on China’s gunboat diplomacy – which is now impacting commercial flights – speaks volumes.

This is a weak government that is keeping Australians in the dark and failing at the most crucial role of government – to uphold our security and sovereignty.

The Australian people deserve to know what is going on, and they deserve better leadership from our weak Prime Minister.

[ENDS]