Daniel Andrews slammed by former cabinet over Beijing military parade appearance
Daniel Andrews’ appearance at a Beijing military parade alongside dictators like Putin and Kim Jong-un has sparked fierce backlash from his ex-colleagues, who accuse him of having “no shame” and acting out of “self-interest”.
Former and current ministers who served in Daniel Andrews’ cabinet have roasted the former Victorian premier over his controversial visit to China, accusing him of having “no shame” and being driven by “self-interest”.
Ex-Victorian government minister Philip Dalidakis, who was overseeing the trade and investment portfolio under Mr Andrews slammed Mr Andrews for attending the military parade in Beijing, beside dictators including Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un.
“It’s not the first time that Daniel has put self interest ahead of the national interest but at least this time he’s a private citizen,” Mr Dalidakis told the Herald Sun.
Another long-serving colleague, speaking anonymously, was equally blunt, declaring, “he has no shame.”
A third said: “He’s damaged but he won’t care. It will hurt him amongst his peers - he’ll be seen as venal.”
While a seperate collegue said Mr Andrews had: “got a taste of Chinese money when in opposition raising lots of money from Chinese donors”.
Australian Electoral Commission returns show he had big backers with links to China before the 2014 state election, including developers Jianping Fu and Min Zhang, from Brighton East, who stumped up $200,000 for Labor in 2014-15.
Another former Labor MP declined to be named and refused to comment on Mr Andrews’ recent visit to China, instead saying: “he is an elephant, he has a long memory, and I do not want to be in his path.”
The comments highlight the lingering distaste toward Mr Andrews years almost two years after he retired from being Premier ahead of the Grand Final Weekend in 2023.
Former Andrews government minister Adem Somyurek – now an independent member after being ousted from the Labor Party over allegations of branch stacking has previously accused Mr Andrews of also engaging in the practice – called for current Premier Jacinta Allan to take action.
“Allan should have a sit-down with Andrews — if she’s going to shield him from backlash on his controversial tenure, he must reciprocate by choosing his public legacy over private business gains. He can’t ride both horses at once.”
Premier Jacinta Allan has defended Mr Andrews claiming: “It is good for Victoria that Daniel Andrews is held in such high regard by the people of China.
“Victoria is an old friend of China and these connections are so valuable for our state.”
But Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was not so supportive stating: “It’s not something I would have done.”
Mr Andrews defended his move to attend in a stament issued after the event.
“I’ve said for years that a constructive relationship with China – our largest trading partner – is in Australia’s national interest, and hundreds of thousands of Australian jobs depend on it. That hasn’t changed,” he said.
“And just so there’s no confusion – I have condemned Putin and his illegal war in Ukraine from day one. That’s why he banned me from Russia last year.”
