Dutton a ‘semi-Trump’

The populist arm of the Communist Party’s People’s Daily has taken aim at the current political turmoil in Canberra.

Peter Dutton is a ‘semi-Trump’ who has been accused of being a racist, China’s Global Times says. Photo: AAP

China’s Global Times newspaper has attacked Peter Dutton as a “semi-Trump” who has been accused of being a racist.

In comments on its WeChat and its Chinese-language website, the populist arm of the Communist Party’s People’s Daily has described a situation in Australia as being where a “foreign government which annoys China from time to time has collapsed”.

It says it is “sick and disgusted” at claims by the Turnbull Government that China had been infiltrating Australia.

Australia “used to be a sunny and unsophisticated country” but since Turnbull had taken over his government had “fussed with China from time to time”, the paper says.

Mr Turnbull and his government are “playing themselves to death.”

Weighing in as turmoil sweeps through the Coalition ranks in the wake of yesterday’s leadership challenge, the Global Times describes Peter Dutton, as Mr Turnbull’s possible successor, as being “notorious”.

“He believes that climate change is fabricated and mocked the island residents in the Pacific Ocean who are facing the loss of their homeland by climate change,” it says.

“He is also accused of being ‘racist’.”

“Dutton can be regarded as a ‘semi-Trump’,” it says

“If such a person is to take charge of Australia, what outcome can be expected now?”

The Global Times’ comments have not been placed on its English language website but its strongly worded articles will help influence popular Chinese views of Australia.

The comments come amid anger in China about the federal government’s move to effectively ban Huawei from being a supplier of telecommunications equipment for Australia’s 5G network.

On its English language website, the Global Times criticised the decision as being a “huge loss for Australia’s 5G development” which would mean higher costs for the country in building and upgrading its telecommunications network.

It quotes Chinese experts as saying that the decision to ban Huawei from the 5G network could add at least another 30 per cent to costs.

It also quoted other experts who described the decision as a “political move”.

But so far its harshest language on Australia has been reserved for its WeChat site, which goes out to a massive domestic audience in China, and its Chinese language website a further sign that Australia-China ties could be set for another rocky period.

The Global Times is not an official government website, but it is often used to espouse populist views within China and make comments which official channels would not make.

Today’s moves came as it appeared that Australia-China relations were being repaired following a recent speech by Prime Minister Turnbull at the University of New South Wales.

But today’s decision and the potential rise of the more conservative Mr Dutton as a possible leader could see relations deteriorate again.