‘Dialogue is always good’: PM whacks Liberals over treatment of China

The Prime Minister will outline his vision for Australia’s relationship with China in a strongly worded festival speech.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will hail his government’s successful reconnection with China and garner support for The Voice to Parliament in a speech to festivalgoers on Wednesday.

Mr Albanese will speak at the second day of the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, paying tribute to former Labor PM Bob Hawke, who famously attended the festival every year for a decade from 2008 to 2018.

Hawke had left a “great legacy” and was a leader Mr Albanese hoped to emulate, he said.

“Last time I was here, I spoke about how the strength of Bob’s personality sometimes obscured what lay beneath that twinkle-eyed, larrikin surface,” he said.

“At the heart of Bob Hawke was a prodigious dedication to work and to detail, and an energy that he channelled into making life better for his fellow Australians.”

Anthony Albanese will hail his government’s work in improving relations with China when he speaks at the Woodford Folk Festival, north of Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The Prime Minister also used his reflection on Mr Hawke to take a jab at his preceding prime minister Scott Morrison, referring to the ministries saga which earned the former Coalition leader a parliamentary condemnation.

“(Hawke was) an extraordinary leader who knew that no true leader stands alone,” he said.

“His ministry was one of depth and breadth, and each of those ministers was fully trusted with their portfolios.”

Mr Albanese launched further swipes at the Morrison government, criticising it for harming Australia’s diplomatic relations with China.

“We’ve gone from a government that chose to not have a single conversation with China – our major trading partner – for the entire last term they were in power, to one that understands that dialogue is always good,” he said.

“Australia and China are talking again. I have met with President Xi Jinping, which was constructive.”

The Prime Minister said engaging with China was not an act of weakness, and argued he would stand firm on Australia’s interests.

“A week ago, Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Beijing. It doesn’t mean we agree with China on everything. It doesn’t mean we don’t raise our concerns and our significant points of difference,” he said.

“We will co-operate with China where we can, disagree where we must, and engage in Australia’s national interest.”

The Prime Minister outlined his vision for the future, saying he wanted to make Australia “a renewable energy superpower”.

“As a nation, we are blessed with so much sunshine and wind that it would be an act of perversity to not harness them,” he said.

“They are there for the taking. With them we can drive down emissions, drive down power prices for households and for businesses, and drive forward a renaissance in advanced manufacturing.”

Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing for a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and China. Picture: AAP / Lukas Coch via NCA NewsWire

Mr Albanese began and ended his speech with his thoughts on the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament, confirming it would be held within the next 12 months.

“When Woodford takes place next year, the referendum on the Voice to Parliament will have been held,” he said.

“This is an opportunity for all of us to be a part of enriching our nation and being even stronger in the future.”

He said a “yes” vote at the referendum would improve Australia’s international reputation.

“Momentum is growing. Local government, community groups, churches, business, trade unions and sporting codes have joined every state and territory government in pledging support for a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament.

“This can be an inclusive moment of national unity and reconciliation.

“I respect everyone’s right to make their own decision on the referendum, but I encourage Australians to consider the generous and gracious request from First Nations people.”