Premier Peter Malinauskas to visit China in September

The Opposition is demanding answers about press freedoms and the cost of Premier Peter Malinauskas’s trip to Communist China in September.

Details of the cost and size of Premier Peter Malinauskas’s entourage for his trip to China in September, along with assurances on press freedoms, are being demanded by the Opposition.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Liberal deputy leader John Gardner said it was a good thing the Premier was engaged with trading partners and seeking removal of trade barriers on wine and other exports.

“We have some questions. We’re interested to know the size of the Premier’s entourage and the cost of the trip,” Mr Gardner said.

“I think it’s important if the Premier is planning on taking journalists to China with him, then I think it will be useful to know what reassurances we have had from our hosts about the way that they can freely report on events. I just think that is useful practice for our free press.”

Mr Malinauskas on Thursday revealed he would visit China in September, becoming the third Australian state leader to go to the Communist nation since the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his third overseas trip as state leader, Mr Malinauskas will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Jinan, the capital of South Australia’s sister state Shandong, and push for the lowering of trade barriers on wine and lobsters.

Chinese visits by fellow Labor premiers Dan Andrews and Mark McGowan in March and April respectively triggered controversy, particularly the Victorian leader Mr Andrews because of a secretive agenda.

Premier Peter Malinauskas during Question Time. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Asked by The Advertiser if he would raise human rights issues with the Chinese government, Mr Malinauskas said: “Given the appropriate opportunity, I will always want to be on the front foot in regards to human rights concerns more broadly.”

Mr Malinauskas said he was a passionate believer in liberal democracies and believed he could pursue the state’s economic interests without compromising these principles, vowing to follow Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong’s model of raising human rights in China.

“In appropriate forums I will always advocate for the advancement of human rights done in an honest way but also in a diplomatic way that allows for the stabilisation of the relationship to deliver for our state,” he said.

Senator Wong has spoken out about bounties offered by the Hong Kong government for the arrest of democracy activists, including one who lives in Adelaide, and last December in Beijing raised the detention of journalist Cheng Lei and writer Yang Hengjun.

Speaking to state parliament on Thursday afternoon, Mr Malinauskas said he would lead a business delegation to China, via Singapore, that would include representatives from university, wine, education, agriculture, aquaculture, tourism and trade sectors.

He said the visit would include “high-level engagements” with business leaders and government officials.

“While in China I will be advocating for the easing of trade blockages affecting South Australian exports, including wine and lobster,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“I welcome the progress made between Australia and China on agreeing a path forward to lift unjustified duties on Australian barley.

”I hope that the duties on wine and crayfish can also be lifted through a similar process.”

Mr Malinauskas, who will visit China between September 14-21, told The Advertiser he was committed to “maximum transparency” for the trip, including making his itinerary public once it had been finalised.

China is SA’s top export destination for merchandise, worth $2.8bn – a 48 per cent rise since last year.

Mr Malinauskas’s previous overseas trips as Premier were to Japan and Korea last October, then the United Kingdom in March.

Originally published as Premier Peter Malinauskas to visit China in September