AWU call: Stand firm on China
A heavyweight union boss has doubled down on his calls for the Morrison government to stand firm against China’s trade “bullying”, saying that relenting would hand more leverage to the authoritarian regime.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A heavyweight union boss has doubled down on his calls for the Morrison government to stand firm against China’s trade “bullying”, saying if we relent it would simply hand more leverage over to the authoritarian regime.
The Australian Workers’ Union boss Daniel Walton was dismissed last week by ALP boss Anthony Albanese after sending a letter to the PM urging him to stand up to China.
But writing in The Saturday Telegraph today, Mr Walton hit back at “politicians and business leaders” who “don’t want to rock the boat”, saying it’s in Australia’s interest not to back down to the “800 pound gorilla in the room”.
“National interest is what this is all about,” he said.
“We should reject the nonsense frame that this debate is about rational business interests versus racist working Australians.
“It’s insulting to suggest working Australians are so unsophisticated they can’t tell the difference between Chinese people and the Chinese Communist Party.
“Australian workers see CCP belligerence for what it is and billionaire self-interest for what it is. They expect their leaders to represent neither.”
He said AWU union members have “skin in the game” because so many were affected by tariffs and dumping of underpriced Chinese products.
The ALP is split on the subject, with former leader Bill Shorten and Senator Penny Wong backing Mr Walton while Mr Albanese said the union’s calls were “nothing new”.
But Mr Walton says standing up to the Chinese Communist Party was not about posturing but supporting a “rules-based trading system”.