‘Fortress China’ invite a hospital pass for SA Premier Steven Marshall

Steven Marshall to open the Adelaide Chinese Consulate even as industry reels from trade sanctions and many of his con­stituents remain angered about living near the compound.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall will formally open the controversial Adelaide Chinese Consulate, even as the state’s industries reel from Beijing’s trade sanctions and many of his con­stituents remain angered about living next door to the vast diplomatic compound.

In a politically awkward invitation, Mr Marshall has accepted the request from the Chinese government to be a keynote speaker at the March 30 opening.

SA Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: Keryn Stevens

His decision to speak is made all the more delicate by the fact that, as the member for the eastern suburbs seat of Dunstan, many of Mr Marshall’s constituents in the suburb of Joslin have serious concerns about the conduct of the consulate.

The Premier will share a stage with Chinese ambassador Cheng Jingye, who Simon Birmingham, the then trade minister, last year accused of making “threats of ­coercion” after leaking a list of grievances against Australia.

Asked about the event, Mr Marshall’s office confirmed his ­attendance. “Mr Marshall in his capacity as Premier meets with consular officials from a variety of countries on a regular basis,” a spokesman said.

Labor leader Peter Malinauskas said he had also been invited but could not attend due to a schedule clash. But Rex Patrick, an independent federal senator who has accused the consulate of spying on South Australia’s defence industry, said it was a mistake for Mr Marshall to attend.

Residents Brian Kretschmer, Lisa Medlyn and Matt Burns. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

“It’s unnecessary and inappropriate for a democratic leader such as Premier Marshall to attend and endorse a function organised by the representatives of an authoritarian communist regime that is engaged in a destructive campaign of trade coercion against our country,” he said.

“The Premier should be calling for a curtailment of Chinese Communist Party’s subversive activities in our state, not rolling out the red carpet for them.”

The consulate has embarked on what some regard as a belated charm offensive to win back their trust after dozens of complaints were made about construction work at the sprawling site and the obtrusive nature of security.

Cameras outside the consulate. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The Australian reported last month that several residents had their neighbouring fences destroyed or ripped out without permission by consulate contractors.

One household had its entire back fence removed without warning and replaced with a 3m tall concrete wall with a camera peering into its backyard.

More than 20 residents said they had major concerns with the imposing nature of security at the compound and the fact that cameras and motion detectors face private homes and run the full length of the laneway leading to the local playground.

To smooth things over with the neighbours, the consulate has decided to hold an open day for some residents on Saturday.

Lisa Medlyn, a local resident, on Tuesday said that her fellow residents were bemused by the ­invitations going out now after all the disruption the consulate had caused. “They did that all around the wrong way if you ask me,” Ms Medlyn said.