Labor won’t kowtow to ‘authoritarian’ Xi Jinping: Anthony Albanese

Labor will accuse China of neglecting its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council by offering Russia relief from sanctions.

Anthony Albanese will reject any claims Labor does not share the same commitment as the ­Coalition to national security. Picture Gaye Gerard

Anthony Albanese will accuse China of neglecting its responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council by offering Russia relief from sanctions, and also accuse Chinese President Xi Jinping of a dangerous authoritarianism.

In a pre-election ­security speech on Thursday, the Labor leader will take aim at Beijing, saying its relationship with Moscow is concerning in light of China’s growing assertiveness in Australia’s shared region.

Pushing back against claims by the Coalition that he is soft on China and would be weak on defence, Mr Albanese will say Labor in government will put national security as a ­priority.

The speech to the Lowy Institute on Thursday follows a speech to the same forum on Monday by Scott Morrison.

Mr Albanese will use it to ­defend Labor’s position while attacking the Coalition for presiding over a legacy of defence procurement disasters.

He will also commit to a review of Australia’s defence capability gap, if elected, including fast-tracking the ­nat­ion’s strike capability, long-range Tomahawk missiles for existing Collins-class submarines and rearming Arafura-class patrol boats with upgraded weapons.

Promising to deliver a “frank assessment” of defence capability and the pipeline of major projects, including the troubled future frigate program, if Labor wins the election, Mr Albanese will say the party has continued to demonstrate a bipartisan foreign policy position when it comes to China and on security priorities.

Labor cut defence spending when last in government to one of its lowest levels since the 1930s. It also imposed spending cuts, through mandated efficiency dividends, on national security agencies included ASIO.

Mr Albanese will reject any claims Labor does not share the same commitment as the ­Coalition to national security.

“The search for false distinctions between the government and opposition on China is not in Australia’s national interest, as both current and former leaders of our security and intelligence agencies have stated so clearly,” he will say.

“We have the same position on the South China Sea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and human rights abuses against Uighurs and Tibetans. Whether in government – or in opposition – we treat national security as the first priority, with our national interest at its core.

“Our approach to the China ­relationship will be determined by our interests and values: a commitment to international law, rules-based trade, and respect for human rights, bolstered by our regional partnerships and alliances.

“Labor’s position on current questions of national security is clear and established.”

He will say China has failed “in its special responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, while offering Russia relief from sanctions”.

“There are many reasons to be concerned about such a friendship, particularly in light of China’s growing assertiveness in our region.

“Both at home and in its international posture, the China of Xi Jinping has demonstrated a harsher authoritarianism and more strident nationalism.

“This has manifested itself most recently in a takeover of Hong Kong, repression of human rights in China and the militarisation of the South China Sea.”

Mr Albanese will say Labor will seek to address the submarine capability gap, having committed to delivering the AUKUS nuclear submarine project.

“Labor will ensure that ­Defence has the resources it needs to defend Australia and deter ­potential aggressors,” Mr Albanese will say.

“We will deepen our regional defence co-operation with close partners … to bolster our joint capabilities, shape our strategic environment and uphold the rules of the road.”