Foreign Minister Penny Wong brushes off Paul Keating’s scathing critique

It came after the former prime minister lashed Australia’s approach to mending relations with China as a “goon show”.

Penny Wong has hit back at criticisms from Paul Keating after the former prime minister accused her of trying to “rattle the China can” at this week’s ASEAN conference.

In a lengthy statement released on Tuesday, Mr Keating launched a scathing attack on what he described as the Albanese government’s “anti-China” approach to stabilising relations with Beijing – pointing to recent comments made by Senator Wong.

“It doesn’t take much to encourage Penny Wong, sporting her ‘deeply concerned’ frown, to rattle the China can – a can she gave a good shake to yesterday (Monday),” Mr Keating said.

Senator Wong warned attendees at an ASEAN conference in a speech on Monday that the Indo-Pacific faced a high risk of “devastating” conflict due to China’s rise as a military superpower.

Asked about his comments on Wednesday, Senator Wong brushed off the attack and said Mr Keating was entitled to his views.

“I don’t lose sleep over it, but I would say this, it was a new position to be lectured about – whether or not I understood the country of my birth in Malaysia,” she told Nine’s Today show.

“But, you know, as I said, he’s entitled to it.”

It’s not the first time Paul Keating has hit out at Labor minister Penny Wong. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Keating’s latest critique marks the latest escalation in a well-documented feud between the two Labor heavyweights.

At a heated appearance at the National Press Club last year, Mr Keating accused Senator Wong of prioritising smaller regional issues in the Indo-Pacific over direct engagement with China.

“Let me just make this point. Running around the Pacific Islands with a lei around your neck handing out money, which is what Penny does, is not foreign policy,” he said.

“It’s a consular task. Foreign policy is what you do with the great powers.”

The former prime minister also called for ASIO boss Mike Burgess to be sacked in his most recent statement, accusing the security chief of undermining efforts to mend relations with Beijing after he revealed that a former politician had been recruited by a foreign intelligence unit, which was later reported to be from China.

He argued that when Anthony Albanese won the leadership in 2022 he should have fired Mr Burgess alongside National Intelligence chief Andrew Shearer and ex-Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo.

“These people display utter contempt for the so-called stabilisation process that the Prime Minister had decided upon and has progressed with China,” Mr Keating said.

Jim Chalmers said he disagreed with Mr Keating. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he “strongly disagreed” with Mr Keating’s assessment when asked by reporters during a press conference on Wednesday.

“I think Paul is wrong about Penny and I think he’s wrong about Mike and I prefer to say that publicly and clearly,” he said.

“These are two absolutely outstanding people doing an absolutely outstanding job.

“All you will hear from me is full-throated support for their important work. I don’t think that work should be undermined or diminished. I value my friendship with Paul Keating. He’s not always right, and I think on these two occasions, he’s wrong.”

Trade Minister Don Farrell also leapt to Senator Wong’s defence when asked about Mr Keating’s recent spray.

“This is a woman who over the past two years has made up for years and years of neglect both in the Pacific and in Southeast Asia. She’s been to virtually every ASEAN nation,” he told Sky News. “When it comes to a difference in opinion between Paul and Penny – I go for Penny any day.”