Cracks widen within the Labor Party over Daniel Andrews’ Belt and Road deal
A major union linked to deputy Premier James Merlino has cautioned Premier Daniel Andrews over the state’s relationship with China.
VIC News
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A major union within Victorian Labor has cautioned the Premier about the state’s relationship with China as internal tensions over the Belt and Road agreement bubble to the surface.
In a letter obtained by the Herald Sun, the Victorian head of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), Michael Donovan, reminded Daniel Andrews about China’s record on human rights and of the push to improve personal freedoms in the country.
The letter comes as unrest has grown among government figures, including members of Cabinet, about the trade deal and amid international criticism of new security laws imposed on Hong Kong.
“We reject the notion that somehow the Chinese people need and want an authoritarian government because they are too immature to govern themselves and are not deserving the same rights we have,” the letter reads.
“History will judge all of us. We want history to judge that we stood side-by-side with the Chinese people.”
Deputy Premier James Merlino is linked to the SDA.
Mr Andrews last week faced repeated questioning over the Belt and Road deal and whether or not his government consulted appropriately with federal authorities before signing up.
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien also announced he would pull Victoria out of the arrangement if elected to power.
But Mr Donovan told the Herald Sun the SDA did not want the issue of human rights to fade into the background.
“We want to make sure governments take into account human rights in their discussions,” he said.
“That has happened before and should happen again.”
One Labor insider said cracks had appeared within the party as the debate had raged.
“The letter is making a distinction between the people of China and the government of China which is responsible for Belt and Road,” they said.
“It's a reminder of that government’s track record and how that government might behave in the future.”
Mr Andrews said he stood by his government’s commitment to create jobs through trade.
“There has never been more Victorian-made product sent to China,” he said last Friday.
“We have many different agreements and we have a relationship with China that I think is very important.”
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