Rex Patrick (SA, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

This motion flows from the Victorian government's secret MOU negotiations with the state of China. The motion arises from the obvious need for Australia to develop a consistent approach to China's Belt and Road Initiative. This is, of course, the President of China's signature initiative.

Australia's engagement with this initiative is a responsibility of the Australian parliament and the Australian government. We need to bring together the full range of strategic, diplomatic, economic and trade perspectives on this complex issue. Some senators are apparently reluctant to support this motion. Some would prefer there be no reference to the Belt and Road Initiative or, indeed, to China. It seems some senators are afraid of the C-word—'China'. In fact, that represents part of the problem here: we're being captured by design not to talk about this issue.