Defence Minister Peter Dutton describes China’s influence as ‘phenomenal’

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has defended Australia’s efforts in the Pacific, saying China’s growing influence is “phenomenal”.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton has described the scale of China’s expanding influence as “phenomenal”, as he defended Australia’s efforts in the Pacific.

Mr Dutton and Labor’s defence spokesman Brendan O’Connor squared off on national security and foreign engagement during their debate at the National Press Club on Thursday.

Asked if Australia was less safe today because of the freshly inked security deal between Solomon Islands and China, Mr Dutton didn’t answer the question directly.

“I don’t think we should pretend to the Australian people that we don’t live in an uncertain time,” he said.

“As we’re seeing right across the region, in fact right across the world, China’s influence into Africa, their influence into broader Asia, their influence into even Europe is quite phenomenal.”

Mr Dutton said Australia was doing its best to maintain peace in the Pacific and pointed to the Morrison government’s investment into the Defence Force.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton used the debate to try to boost the Coalition’s national security credentials. Picture Lachie Millard

He praised the “incredible work” of Pacific Minister Zed Seselja and thanked him for ”the way he’s engaged” in the region.

Senator Seselja failed in his last minute bid to Honiara to try to convince Solomon Islands government to pull out of the security pact with China, which has sparked alarm among Australian and US officials.

Labor has criticised the Morrison government for the decision to send Senator Seselja on such a critical diplomatic mission instead of the more senior Foreign Minister Marise Payne.

Later in Thursday’s debate, Mr Dutton was asked why he had said in parliament the “Chinese Communist Party wants Labor to win” and why the Coalition claims the Opposition want to “appease” Beijing.

He responded by saying: “I think we are dealing with the reality of a new China”.

“I think that people should be under no illusion. There’s no need to embellish the intelligence we’re reading,” he said.

Mr Dutton launched into a criticism of Labor’s policies on engagement with China by making a personal criticism of opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong.

“Penny Wong believes that she can go to Beijing on a charm offensive and she could change the direction of China under President Xi (Jinping),” he said.

“President Xi, of course, would be laughing under his breath as he was entertaining his dear friend in Beijing.

“If only she was able to win back some of the acts of aggression from the Morrison Government – from signing AUKUS, to acquiring missile capability – the conversation could continue.”

Labor’s defence spokesman Brendan O'Connor disputed Coalition claims an Albanese government would benefit China. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Mr O’Connor disputed Mr Dutton’s suggestion there would be some benefit for China from Labor forming government.

“I don’t agree with the conspiracy theory that there’s a benefit for China given the position that Labor has taken in relation to China and its changed conduct,” he said.

“If I’m allowed to finish — Peter, you just had your go — As I just said from the outset, we know China has changed,” he said, as Mr Dutton tried to interject.

Mr O’Connor criticised Mr Dutton for his remarks about his Labor frontbench colleague.

“We know (China) is now more assertive, more aggressive, more coercive.”

“Penny Wong, who has just been verballed by Peter, made that clear in contributions last year where she outlined the significant shift that’s happened in the region.”

Originally published as Defence Minister Peter Dutton describes China’s influence as ‘phenomenal’