ALP to examine China relations

Labor has set up a closed-door committee to examine Australia’s bilateral relationship with China, amid a split within the party.

NSW Labor senator Jenny McAllister. Picture: AAP

Labor has set up a closed-door committee to examine Australia’s bilateral relationship with China, amid a split within the party over the security and economic ­challenges posed by Beijing.

The establishment of an eight-person caucus working group on China, to be led by senator Jenny McAllister, follows Labor’s decis­ion to join with the government to block a Senate inquiry into the key bilateral relationship.

On Tuesday, opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong reiterated her call for the government to allow China briefings for MPs by the Office of National­ Intelligence and other agencies.

She told a meeting of Australia’s ambassadors and high commissioner­s in Canberra that Australians were “understandably anxious” about the China relationship.

“It is reasonable and approp­riate for parliamentarians to want assurance that our national interest is being served,” she said.

But one Labor MP said the party was “trying to cover over that (it) has not proceeded with a Senate inquiry”.

It’s understood some within Labor, including Anthony Alban­ese and others on the left, believe the China debate has lurched ­towards “Sinophobia”.

But China hawks on the right of the party, including Kimberley Kitching, Anthony Byrne and Nick Champion, have argued that China poses a serious threat to Australia’s security and instit­utions.

Foreign Affairs Minister ­Marise Payne said there was no need for special China briefings for MPs, as parliamentarians were alread­y able to get comprehensive information by joining relevant committees.

“Senator Wong knows this — she’s sat on such committees for years,” Senator Payne said.

“The PM and I are already leading a mature discussion.

“As we’ve said, MPs from all parties are entitled to contribute.

“Unfortunately, we’ve seen a political stunt from a senior oppos­ition senator who should know better.”

Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick failed to get sufficient support­ this week for a wide-ranging­ public inquiry on China, which was to have been co-sponsore­d by Senator Kitching.

He told the Senate that Labor was “running scared”, as it faced allegations that Chinese donations secured influence in the NSW branch of the party.

“It might also be a case that the Chinese embassy’s parliamentary lobbying has proved effective,” Senator Patrick told parliament this week.

“It’s no secret that senior officers­ of the Chinese embassy have visited the parliament and made it clear that they would very much prefer any discussion of Australia’s relations with China to be narrowly focused on … bilateral trade opportunities and positive engagement with the Belt and Road Initiative.”

Senator Patrick said he was also disappointed with the government’s decision to prevent the public inquiry.