Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton have both slammed Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles over comments he made about Pacific nations being 'perfectly free' to engage with China.
that was published last August that"Australia has no right to expect a set of exclusive relationships with Pacific nations", Sky News Australia host Sharri Markson reported for
Stream more election news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 "And they don't have the strength, frankly, to deal with the issues that our country will face into the future. "Richard Marles wrote last year in August that Australia should not be resisting Pacific island nations entering into these type of agreements with the Chinese government. I mean it doesn't get more blunt than that," he said.
"I don't know where he is today. They have gone to others today for comment on these things with their travelling media pack in terms of this campaign but Richard Marles seeks to be, as we understand it, the defence minister in an Albanese government." "We are in a strategic contest with China. We win in the Pacific and we win that by earning the right to be the natural partner of choice."
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Peter Dutton warns China will expand its presence in Pacific after Solomon Islands pactDefence Minister Peter Dutton is warning China will not waste any time expanding its presence in the South Pacific, after signing its controversial security pact with Solomon Islands.
Read more »
Dutton suggests bribes swayed Solomons in China pactThe defence minister was less than circumspect in response to questions about the government’s handling of the delicate diplomatic issue.
Read more »
Scott Morrison takes aim at Richard Marles, accusing him of being soft on ChinaWith Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese off the campaign trail, the Prime Minister switches his attention to the ALP's frontbench.
Read more »
Scott Morrison accuses Labor of ‘advocating’ for China
Read more »
Albanese slams Morrison over Solomon Islands' security pact with ChinaLabor leader Anthony Albanese has slammed Scott Morrison for failing to intervene in a security deal which could see Beijing establish a military base in the Pacific.
Read more »
Letters of 22 April 2022: PM must put diplomacy to workSolomon Islands, China, diplomacy, Scott Morrison, election, Virgin Airlines, climate change, NDIS, Uber, minimum wage
Read more »