THE HON ANDREW HASTIE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CANNING

STATEMENT
ALBANESE AND MARLES WEAK IN THE FACE OF INTIMIDATION

Wednesday 8 May 2024

The Albanese Government has been caught lying as they once again refuse to stand up to China on behalf of our Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel.

It’s deeply troubling to learn that there has been no attempt by any Minister to contact their Chinese counterpart to condemn Saturday’s dangerous and provocative incident, despite the Prime Minister yesterday saying that there have been “representations on every level”.

The Prime Minister has flat out lied to the Australian people. Not only is he weak, but he is dishonest.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Defence has been in hiding since details of the incident were made public on Monday.

Richard Marles is too afraid to stand up in front of the Australian public, let alone stand up for the Royal Australian Navy sailors he is meant to be leading and defending.

This is the latest glaring demonstration of weak leadership from Anthony Albanese and Richard Marles, both of whom refuse to stand up for our fine service men and women.

If Richard Marles is not prepared to do his job by picking up the phone to his Chinese counterpart and condemning this latest incident, he should resign. If he can’t take the heat in peace, what good will be in a crisis?

If he won’t stand up, he should stand down.

Our ADF personnel, and the Australian people, deserve better.

[ENDS]