Labor split over Australian Workers’ Union’s China stance

Labor MPs, including Bill Shorten, are backing the AWU’s call to stand up against China as Anthony Albanese refuses to endorse the comments.

Labor Senator Deb O'Neill. Picture: Troy Snook

Labor MPs, including Bill Shorten, are backing the Australian Workers’ Union call to stand-up against Chinese aggression and “billionaires who have cosy relationships” with Beijing despite Anthony Albanese attempting to distance himself from the AWU.

Ahead of a Senate inquiry into foreign investment on Friday, NSW Labor Senator Deb O’Neill on Thursday endorsed AWU national secretary Daniel Walton’s plea to protect Australia’s local manufacturing supply chain post-COVID-19.

“The AWU’s Daniel Walton is exactly right when he says we need to stand up against billionaires who have cosy relationships that benefit them and not the nation,” Senator O’Neill told The Australian.

Mr Albanese, a left-faction powerbroker, refused to endorse comments made by Mr Walton in a letter sent to Scott Morrison on Wednesday.

The Opposition Leader said there was “nothing new” in the positions of Mr Walton and the AWU against China.

“That letter could have been written by any AWU secretary since 1891,” he said.

“I haven’t read all the comments to be frank … there is nothing new about AWU secretaries standing up for jobs in Australia.”

Despite Mr Albanese’s lukewarm reaction to Mr Walton’s letter, Bill Shorten said “all countries should play by the rules”.

The former AWU chief, and Mr Albanese’s predecessor as opposition leader, praised Mr Walton’s hardline position on China.

“Boss of my old union (Dan Walton) is right to stand up for Aussie jobs and sovereignty. All countries should play by the rules. No exceptions just because they’re big,” Mr Shorten tweeted.

Boss of my old union @danwaltonAWU is right to stand up for Aussie jobs & sovereignty.

All countries should play by the rules. No exceptions just because they’re big.https://t.co/Ylia2GA4dX pic.twitter.com/tnQMzQeyXC

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) May 14, 2020

Victorian Labor senator Kimberley Kitching also strongly backed Mr Walton’s letter, in particular his attack against pro-China businesspeople.

“The Australian Workers Union’s impressive leader Dan Walton shines light of truth on our important trade relationship with China,” she tweeted.

“Fair trade good. Dumped state-sponsored steel costs Aussie jobs. Billionaires urging blind compliance with a foreign government a disgrace.”

The Australian Workers Union's impressive leader @DanWaltonAWU shines light of truth on our important trade relationship with China:
👍🏻Fair trade good
❌Dumped state-sponsored steel costs Aussie jobs
🙈Billionaires urging blind compliance with a foreign govt a disgrace#auspol pic.twitter.com/4nJfl3FbTn

— Kimberley Kitching 🇦🇺 #StayHomeSaveLives (@kimbakit) May 14, 2020

Mr Albanese’s comments came hours after opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said Mr Walton’s comments were “absolutely right”.

Senator O’Neill – from the NSW Labor Right – said Australia needed to support better “strategic oversight” through the Foreign Investment Review Board.

“After seven years of a Coalition government it has become clear they have presided over a FIRB process that lacks strategic oversight in industries that ensures Australia is not overly reliant on other countries to deliver essential supplies (PPE, oil, vaccines),” she said.

“This government must ensure international investments are in our national interest and they are accountable for their decisions to sell critical infrastructure.

“That is why I will be pushing for greater transparency from this government about the decisions FIRB are making.”

Senator O’Neill has led the push for a parliamentary inquiry into the $4bn sale of Alinta Energy to the Chinese-owned Chow Tai Fook in 2017.

The Senate economics references committee will hold a public hearing on Friday, with Alinta Energy chief executive Jeff Dimery and senior EY representatives listed to attend.

Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk, former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Allan Fels, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility chief executive Chris Wade and Treasury Foreign Investment Division deputy secretary Roxanne Kelley will also appear.

Senator Wong – who has led attacks on the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Marise Payne over their handling of the China relationship – earlier on Thursday said “we should be looking to our national interest”.

“We should be making sure we continue to assert our national interest when it comes to Australian jobs and Australian sovereignty,” Senator Wong told ABC radio.

“The AWU makes a very reasonable point that all countries should play by the rules when it comes to international trade. That is our position and it is the right position.”