Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon has accused Scott Morrison of hurting Australian wine producers by offending Beijing in an attack that threatens to split Australia's largely bipartisan foreign policy on China | ErykBagshaw DarrenGrayRural
Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon has accused Scott Morrison of hurting Australian wine producers by offending Beijing, labelling the Prime Minister's attitude "outrageous" in an attack that threatens to split Australia's largely bipartisan foreign policy on China.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham held crisis talks with the wine industry on Wednesday morning including peak body Australian Grape and Wine and Australian wine giants; Treasury Wine Estates, Pernod Ricard, Yalumba and Accolade.Mr Fitzgibbon, Labor's agriculture spokesman, on Wednesday escalated his criticism of the government. "I think there is someone to blame. I think it's Scott Morrison. I think his language and attitude towards China has been outrageous," he said.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese and foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong have been attempting to balance China's rise with security and economic interests, but have largely avoided direct criticism of the government. China sought to downplay the anti-dumping investigation on Tuesday night. "There's no need to read too much into it," said foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.
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