Daniel Andrews releases details of controversial infrastructure deal with China

Daniel Andrews has acted against official Australian government foreign policy by signing Victoria up to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, it can be revealed after details of the controversial infrastructure deal were finally released.

Daniel Andrews has acted against official federal government policy. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

Daniel Andrews has acted against official Australian government foreign policy by signing Victoria up to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The Andrews Government late Sunday afternoon succumbed to a week of pressure by releasing the contents of its memorandum of understanding with China covering an infrastructure and trade deal.

The deal comes at the same time Australia is trying to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative by funding more projects in the Pacific.

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Australia has raised a number of concerns about the BRI, including China’s “debt traps” with Pacific nations whereby local governments hand China local infrastructure instead of paying back loans.

As part of the agreement, Victoria has agreed to “promote Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative”.

The government has also committed to “policy co-operation” and “unimpeded trade”.

Opposition treasury spokesman Michael O’Brien said the release of the deal raised “more questions than it answers”.

“It’s no wonder Daniel Andrews has been trying to hide this secret agreement,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Promising ‘unimpeded trade’ with the Chinese government, as this agreement does, could put Victoria’s local industry and jobs at risk.

“How many billions of dollars of borrowings from the Chinese government will take place under the “financial co-operation” clause?”

In a statement, the Victorian government said it released the agreement following a directive by Mr Andrews last week.

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“The MOU does not bind Victoria to be involved in any specific project or initiative,” the government said.

“As it always does, the Government will consider both Victoria’s and the national interest before agreeing to be involved in any specific activity.

“The MOU is not legally binding and this is clearly specified in the MOU. The MOU is in line with a draft MOU that was provided to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in June 2018.”