Coronavirus: Australian Workers Union backs Scott Morrison on China
The Australian Workers Union has told Scott Morrison not to ‘capitulate’ to the communist state’s gaming of international trade rules.
One of the nation’s most powerful unions has urged the Morrison government to “hold its nerve” in defence of Australia’s sovereignty, as China targets exporters in a pressure campaign against nations supporting a global investigation into the COVID-19 pandemic.
Countering criticism of the government from Anthony Albanese and state Labor governments, the Australian Workers Union has told Scott Morrison not to “capitulate” to the communist state’s gaming of international trade rules.
In a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon following China’s suspension of meat exporters and threats to slap tariffs on barley producers, AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said: “Australia should resist any attempts to be bullied.”
Mr Walton said it was time to stand up against Chinese aggression and “billionaires who have cosy relationships” with Beijing.
He said Australia should join international partners to form a “trade NATO” as part of a multilateral effort to resist “China’s preferred approach of bilateral bullying”.
The AWU boss said China’s threats were likely in response to domestic and foreign policy decisions made by the federal government and the dumping duties imposed on Chinese steel producers selling into Australia. “The integrity of Australia’s trading regime is paramount to sovereignty,” he wrote. “We note with concern the pressure being placed upon the Australian government with respect to the integrity of its trade regime.
“Specifically, this pressure relates to threats from the Chinese Communist Party to sanction Australian producers and exporters of barley, beef and other products in alleged retaliation for the very legitimate dumping duties placed on Chinese steel producers selling products into Australia.
“It is critical the Australian government holds its nerve against such pressure and enforces its international and domestic rights.”
Mr Morrison told parliament on Wednesday the government supported the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership but would always act in the “national interest” and stand “firmly behind our agricultural producers”.
“When it comes to a comprehensive strategic partnership, it works across many different areas and has been a highly successful agreement,” Mr Morrison said.
“From time to time there will be differences in views and we will progress them constructively in the national interest, always in the national interest.”
West Australian Liberal MP Andrew Hastie — a critic of China banned from entering that country last year — said Australians must pull together. “I’ve got many AWU alumina and heavy industry members in my electorate,” said Mr Hastie, chair of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security. “They’re passionate about our country and we stay in touch regularly. This is a ‘team Australia’ moment and I’m proud to see all of us pulling in the same direction for Australian sovereignty, jobs and industry.”
The World Health Assembly will meet next week to discuss an EU motion to launch a global investigation into the spread of the coronavirus, which China has accused Australia of leading.
Mr Walton, who represents workers across the agriculture, mining, steel and manufacturing sectors, said the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the danger of becoming “overly reliant on global supply chains” and trade integrity measures were critical to ensuring an even playing field for Australian industry. “It might suit billionaires who have cosy relationships with the CCP for our government to roll over, but AWU members expect their government to stand for them and defend the national interest,” he wrote.
Mr Walton hit back at China’s trade record, saying its steel and aluminium producers were regularly in breach of Australia’s anti-dumping laws. He said Australia’s Anti-Dumping Commission was running 31 cases, 17 of which were solely from or included China.
“Australian trade penalties are at the lower end of the global spectrum for importers found to be engaging in illegal dumping,” he said.
“Australia’s dumping laws … also provide China with the benefit of ‘Market Economy’ status, something that no other major trading nation has afforded China. To suggest Australia treats China unfairly is erroneous.”
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan said he had contacted Mr Morrison to offer his help in easing tensions with China, adding it was critical not to “jeopardise” relations with key trading partners. Mr Albanese and senior opposition MPs joined the Labor states in pressing the government over tensions with China.
The Opposition Leader, who backs the independent review into COVID-19, said Labor agreed that “Australia must always stand up for our national interests”.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, whose state is home to three of the abattoirs suspended by Beijing, said China was “an incredibly important trading partner”. “What I am concerned about is the potential for a trade war to erupt,” she said.
Australia’s ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos, said China would “do better to go on the front foot and accept that there should be a review and co-operate with the review”.
Additional reporting: Richard Ferguson , Victoria Laurie
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