Michael Danby (Melbourne Ports, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today is an important day in the defence of Australian sovereignty, with the publication of the book Silent Invasion by Clive Hamilton. It is a little melodramatically named, but it creates important markers in protecting Australia's sovereignty on the important issue of Beijing's 'sharp power', as raised prominently in The Economist in its recent cover story, which particularly referred to some of China's political activities here in Australia.

Protecting our political and economic independence is no bar to trade and investment with Beijing, as Paul Keating recently pointed out in The Sydney Morning Herald. He's on an advisory council to the China Development Bank and strongly supported, as I do, Australia participating in the Asia Development Bank, led by China. These two issues are completely separate: political interference in Australia; and good relations and trade and investment with China.

I conclude with a warning to the government. You didn't pay attention when I warned you about the China extradition treaty. I'm warning you again now. The former communications minister, now the Prime Minister, the member for Wentworth, had a very soft attitude, as Prime Minister Rudd pointed out, on the issue of Huawei. If the Prime Minister doesn't take action on Vodafone and other companies' involvement with Huawei, he is going to pay a political price here in Australia on the issue of Australian sovereignty.

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