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

STATEMENT ON UNSAFE INTERACTION WITH PLA–AIR FORCE

Monday 6 May 2024

The Coalition condemns the provocative and dangerous interaction of the People’s Liberation Army – Air Force with a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) MH-60R helicopter in the Yellow Sea.

This builds on the pattern of aggressive behaviour from the People’s Liberation Army – Navy towards the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over the past few years, including the sonar attack on RAN divers in November last year.

We are relieved that no ADF personnel were injured by this reckless, dangerous and foolish move. It does not build trust between our nations.

The Coalition calls on Richard Marles to stand up for our ADF personnel and raise this incident directly with his Chinese counterpart.

The Opposition has requested an urgent briefing on this matter.

[ENDS]