Pat Conroy (Shortland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

The Liberal Party always put their own political interest ahead of the national interest. They took Australia into two wars based on lies for political advantage—Vietnam and Iraq. And their announcement today is all about distraction from the aged-care disaster, distraction from the years of neglect, distraction from the $1.7 billion worth of cuts to aged care under Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Their announcement today is all about the Victorian BRI deal. Guess who welcomed it when it was signed? Trade minister Simon Birmingham. Guess what Steve Ciobo said? He said:

Australia supports the aims of initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative …

Prime Minister Turnbull said:

We look forward to working with China on the Belt and Road Initiative …

And Prime Minister Morrison said:

Australia welcomes the contribution that the Belt and Road Initiative can make …

They support the BRI so much that they've done their own secret MOU with China on it that they won't release because they have something to hide. The truth is this is just a distraction from the aged-care disaster.

Look at the lease of the Port of Darwin, a hugely important strategic asset that they presided over the lease of. Again, it's more about putting their political interests ahead of the national interests. Look at the actions of signing the extradition treaty with China under Philip Ruddock, hugely compromising Australian independence. It took a revolt from Labor to reverse it. The truth is the Liberal Party can't be trusted on foreign policy, because they'll put their political interests ahead of the national interests.

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