‘Keating as an apologist for Chinese militarism undermines Australian interests’

Always back a horse called self-interest: Then PM Paul Keating with a 2200-year-old Han dynasty horse sculpture at the National Gallery. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Greg Sheridan savaged former prime minister Paul Keating’s recent foreign policy pronouncement that China was a “stabilising force in Asia” as patently ridiculous, woefully out of touch and evoking sadness and pity. Martin said more:

“I am not worried the former PM is out of touch and misguided. I am concerned that voicing these views, effectively becoming an apologist for Chinese militarism undermines Australian interests and makes the world a less safe place.”

Tracey’s husband added:

“Perhaps it’s time. Time Albanese, Wong and Marles stopped ‘regularly seeking Paul Keating’s counsel’ as he has clearly lost any grip on current affairs. He is like the retired sportsperson – the longer he hasn’t played, the better he was in his own mind. The damage he wrought on middle Australia has not however been forgotten. That is his legacy.”

Terror Australis reckoned:

“I think Keating was the best PM we’ve had in recent memory but he really has lost his senses with his silly pro-China stance. Always anti-American so no surprises there.”

: T: tittered:

“Perhaps Keating is just being recalcitrant.”

Gary said:

“Highly entertaining. He always has a way with the theatre of any presentation and how to grab a headline.”

Peter’s position:

“He damages his legacy with these comments. He was never loved as PM but he was respected and he had his strengths. His position on China is just wrong. We need to be doing everything we can to decouple ourselves from China and fortunately both the government and opposition are in broad agreement.”

Mike of Mollymook mused:

“Nations act in their own best interests. The concept of ‘grateful’ applies in personal relations. Not in dealing between nation states. The USA has repeatedly made it clear to us they will protect us only if it suits their purposes.

“Keating’s position appears that it’s inevitable that Australia will be in the PRC sphere of influence so we should do nothing to alienate the PRC. Is he speaking for a lot of greens and ALP supporters? I suspect he is.”

Another Peter:

“Anyone who thinks AUKUS, as it was originally envisaged, will become a reality under an Albanese led government is naive. Albanese has hero worshipped Keating for years and there can be little doubt he regularly seeks his counsel.

“Albanese was at university when anti-Americanism was at its most vociferous and virulent. According to this paper recently Albanese is still influenced by his university friends. To be anti-American, anti traditional allies and new alliances is in the DNA of most Labor MPs, As is a blanket refusal to even raise a voice of apprehension warning China’s territorial expansion ambitions and bellicose attitude towards such as Taiwan may threaten peace in the region.

“Pre-election Albanese and Labor were artful enough to play lip service to AUKUS, purely out of cynical political expediency. Having won the election Labor will probably have a team of backroom staff working to neuter AUKUS, the acquisition of nuclear submarines, and with any alliances with countries critical of China. So Labor will emerge squeaky clean and blameless.”

Old China hands: Paul Keating and Tim Fischer raise a glass with former Chinese Ambassador Hua Junze to celebrate Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997. Picture: Ray Strange

Patriot said:

“Keating is a patriot and is right about Australia trying to retain a degree of sovereignty. Of course those in the industrial military complex will not support a de-escalation in tensions.

“We should avoid trade alliances that are military alliances. We must avoid war. We must avoid recession. we must support trade, including all in the Indo Pacific, including China.”

From Geoff:

“I liked Paul but he has lost the plot for quite a while now.”

Tony asked:

“What makes Keating think that America should be offering his version of thanks and gratitude for an ally meeting their side of the obligations. After all we are the very small kid in the schoolyard who relies on the bigger, stronger kid to protect us.”

Recitation we had to have: Mr Keating at the The Australian’s Strategic Forum in November 2019. Picture: Nikki Short

M said:

“A stabilising force suggests something that brings about peace and harmony. I do not think the suppression of individual thought and action which is the underlying central tenet of communism is a force for peace.

“Ironically Mr Keating would not have lasted long if he had been born into the world of a Communist country. His caustic wit and contempt for those he considered intellectually sluggish would have seen his early incarceration as an enemy of the Party.”

James said:

“Having read post-reports on Bob Hawke and compared with current reports on Paul Keating, I can see that the difference. Keating is at least open about his relationship with the PRC. Asia is a highly complex grouping of nations that we just do not understand or rather, we think we understand. Right now we need strong statesmanlike leadership that focuses on effective diplomacy that enables us to be more certain about where Asian nations sit and where we fit in. The Asian grouping is highly, highly complex and requires intelligent analysis.”

Brendan said:

“Paul Keating had a set of ideas in the 1990s about China and Asia which hasn’t been updated since then.”

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Not waving but drowning: Former NAB chief executive and short-lived Essendon boss Andrew Thorburn. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

In the wake of the Andrew Thorburn and Essendon affair, Janet Albrechtsen suggested it was high time the government acted on its election promise to provide protection against religious discrimination. David declared:

“Right on the money again Janet. Excellent journalism. (ABC’s Patricia) Karvelas is completely wrongheaded about the Essendon club’s position. There is absolutely no reason for gay players to feel unsafe just because the clubs chairman is affiliated with a Christian church. “Thorburn has no track record whatsoever of discrimination – quite the opposite. Surely any due diligence on Thorburn would have revealed that, and to include in the due diligence inquires about his religious affiliation would be grossly and grotesquely discriminatory, as well as illegal.”

John Steen said:

“According to most dictionaries, bigotry is defined as an ‘obstinate attachment to a belief, or opinion; in particular prejudice against people on the basis of their membership of a particular group.’ This seems to describe perfectly the Left/Woke views of Christians or anyone who doesn’t agree with them. The irony, of course, is that they call Christians bigots.

“The bottom line, however, as Janet has said, is irrespective of whether you disagree with someone’s private beliefs, as long as they don’t parade those beliefs in the workplace or try to force them on others they are no-one else’s business.

“And for Essendon, the Catholic Church is against abortion and same sex marriage. And the Muslim faith very definitely regards homosexuality as a sin. Will you sack all Catholics and Muslims?”

Buzz bee’s bit:

“I am waiting for several football players to be sacked for their religious belief. Essendon, who have clearly made a huge mistake, need to be accountable and that may happen with a drop in membership.”

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Pure Musk: Singe your fringe with Elon’s new perfume, Burnt Hair.

Elon Musk boasted about his latest success, selling 10,000 bottles of his new perfume, “Burnt Hair”, a scent infused with the “essence of repugnant desire”. Caroline sniffed:

“Who are these people stupid enough to buy this? Oh wait ... same ones who bought ‘that’ candle from Goop!”

Brad (the quiet Australian) smelled a rat:

“I think I will stick with Rexona.”

PatrickJD reckoned:

“A rose, by any other name, would smell a lot sweeter.”

Mr Natural’s order:

“Musk – the kids with the key to the toy shop.

Bezos – the kid trying to kick sand in other kids’ faces.

Zuckerberg –- the kid wondering why nobody likes him.”

Tyson said:

“A whiff of irony in this twisted world. Quite funny.”

Rory’s wheeze:

“I wonder if he got the idea from the movie Anchorman?”

Stephen stated the obvious:

“Why not Musk’s Musk? It has a much better ring to it.”

Brian’s suggestion:

“Your Daughter’s Hair … A fragrance designed by Joe Biden.”

Penny Dreadful confessed:

“This made me laugh out loud. I have no doubt it’ll make a fortune too.”

Last word to Rod:

“Et tu Brut?”

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