Brad Battin to follow in Jacinta Allan’s footsteps with trade mission to China

Brad Battin will follow Jacinta Allan’s lead as he embarks on an eight-day trade mission to China next week, in a strategic shift of focus for the Opposition Leader.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin will embark on a trip to China to talk business and trade. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Opposition Leader Brad Battin will follow in Premier Jacinta Allan’s footsteps and embark on a tour of China to talk business and trade.

Mr Battin will leave for the eight day trip next Friday, and will be joined by shadow treasurer, Jess Wilson, and new frontbencher Nick McGowan.

The trio is expected to visit Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Suzhou.

Mr Battin told the Herald Sun the trip would focus on business and trade talks, and identifying obstacles being faced with public and private investment in Victoria.

Premier Jacinta Allan visited a suburban rail line construction site in Deyang, just outside Chengdu, during her recent visit to China. Picture: Supplied

The trade mission represents a significant shift of focus for the Liberal leader, who has come under fire from colleagues for leaning to heavily on the issue of crime at the expense of the economy.

The is also being seen as a way to appeal to Chinese voters ahead of next year’s state election.

Last month the Premier, and five Labor MPs, spent a week in China during which she signed a tunnelling deal to secure the final four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) needed to drive home the estimated $34.5bn Suburban Rail Loop project.

She also launched a new trade strategy with China – the first since Daniel Andrews’ launch in 2016.