Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says two Australian citizens who faced the death penalty in Vietnam have now been granted clemency.
Speaking exclusively to ABC's 7.30 program upon his return from an official visit to Vietnam, Mr Albanese said he had lobbied the Vietnamese government to intervene.
Mr Albanese says Australia has a long history of strongly opposing the death penalty and to lobby diplomatically on behalf of its citizens detained overseas. Ahead of the prime minister's visit to Vietnam, calls were growing for the release of Australian citizens detained in that country, including retired Sydney baker, Chau Van Kham.
At the summit, China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu refused to meet with his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, while accusing western powers of having a "cold war" mentality. "And of course, our alliance with the United States is one of the three pillars of our foreign policy along with regional engagement and our support for multilateral forums.During his speech, Mr Albanese also called on the international community to put "guardrails" in place to prevent the US and China from stumbling into war.
"That's why the US administration's call for increased dialogue with China is so important," he said.As proof of warmer relationships between Canberra and Beijing, the prime minister reiterated his intention to travel to China in the near future.
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.
Arise, Dame Jacinda: Former NZ prime minister awarded top honourFormer prime minister Jacinda Ardern received one of New Zealand’s highest honours on Monday for her service leading the country through a mass shooting and pandemic.
Read more »
Albanese declares Vietnam a top-tier partnerPrime Minister Anthony Albanese says Vietnamese workers can help fill skills shortages, as he declared his desire to elevate Vietnam as one of Australia’s top-tier partners.
Read more »
‘Upheld and maintained’: Albanese’s warning over China.AlboMP will meet key leaders to discuss shared interests including China’s position in the region as he continues a diplomatic visit to Vietnam. auspol 7NEWS
Read more »
‘Dividing this nation’: Littleproud slams PM for Voice referendumNationals Leader David Littleproud has criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s handling of the cost of living crisis and the Voice to Parliament referendum. Mr Littleproud’s comments come as support for the referendum fell to below 50 per cent, according to the latest Newspoll. “All that Anthony Albanese’s managed to do in his 12 months as Prime Minister is drive up everyone’s cost of living and divide the nation,” Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia. “Let Australians have a unifying moment rather than one what he’s created, that is dividing this nation.'
Read more »