Dan gets rock star welcome amid China talks in Canberra

Daniel Andrews has been given a rock star reception at Parliament House in Canberra, with people calling out and asking for pictures with the former Victorian premier.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has been given a warm welcome in Canberra. Picture: Jade Gailberger

Daniel Andrews has received a rock star welcome in Canberra, where Chinese Premier Li Qiang is holding high-level meetings with Australian officials.

The former Victorian premier was invited to attend a state lunch hosted by the Prime Minister for Mr Li at the Great Hall in Parliament House.

There was a flurry of activity upon Mr Andrews arrival at parliament, with guests calling out to him and asking for pictures.

There was a flurry of excitement when Mr Andrews arrived, with people rushing to shake hands with the former premier. Picture: Jade Gailberger

Mr Andrews shook hands and smiled warmly, posing for a picture with a group of attendees including Labor MP for Tangney, Sam Lim.

During the lunch, Mr Andrews was seated on a table with Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Dr Siswo Pramono, Adelaide Festival Centre chief executive Douglas Gautier and Australia China Business Council chief executive Tom Parker.

Premier Daniel Andrews meets Wang Xiaohui, party secretary of Sichuan Province, during his official trip to China in March, 2023.

Mr Andrews was the only former Labor premier to attend the lunch.

Victorian federal politicians in attendance included Defence Minister Richard Marles, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King.

Teal MP Dr Monique Ryan also received an invite, along with Labor backbenchers that have large Chinese communities in their electorates including Higgins MP Michelle Ananda-Rajah, Aston MP Mary Doyle and Chisholm MP Dr Carina Garland.

While in office, Mr Andrews slugged Victorian taxpayers more than half a million dollars for seven trips to China since 2015. This included an $82,000 bill for his controversial six-day secret trade mission to China last year.

Since retiring from politics in October last year, Mr Andrews has teamed up with his former China advisor to establish a new business luring foreign investment to Victoria.

His consultancy firm is also reportedly working with Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s company Fortescue to sell green iron to China.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is hosting the Chinese Premier, who arrived in Canberra on Monday for an official visit.

Mr Albanese told Mr Li that dialogue was important to maintain the relationship between the two countries, which had been fraught for several years.

Daniel Andrews visting Beijing's Forbidden City during his official trip to China in March 2023. Picture: Supplied

“This dialogue has allowed us to build a deeper awareness of our respective interests and in our one-on-one meeting that we just held, that was reinforced as well,” Mr Albanese said.

“We have continued to take significant steps forward.”

“We also have our differences, reflecting our different political systems approaches and priorities. That is why our candid dialogue is so important.

“There is no fixed model for a stabilised relationship. Our job is to make sure we manage our relationship so we can contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity.”

Mr Li also committed to improving the relationship in his opening remarks to the meeting, saying it was “on the right track of steady improvement”.

“I sincerely hope (to) work with you to build a more mature stable and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership ... to deliver more benefits to peoples,” he said.