Treasurer says Paul Keating ‘wrong’ about ASIO chief Mike Burgess and Penny Wong

Jim Chalmers has slammed his hero Paul Keating over criticism of Penny Wong and ASIO boss Mike Burgess.

Former PM Paul Keating. Picture: John Feder

Jim Chalmers has slammed his hero Paul Keating, declaring the former Labor prime minister “wrong” to criticise Foreign Minister Penny Wong and ASIO boss Mike Burgess.

The Treasurer – who wrote his doctoral thesis on Mr Keating’s prime ministership – joined Anthony Albanese and senior government ministers in hitting back at the Labor luminary over his calculated attack on the government’s foreign policy agenda during the ASEAN meetings.

Mr Keating on Tuesday said Australia’s foreign policy in regards to Beijing was conflicted, accusing Senator Wong of ­“rattling the China can” in her comments over the “devastating impact” conflict with Beijing would have.

He also argued that Mr Burgess should not be allowed to continue in his role after displaying “utter ­contempt for the so-called stabilisation process with China” by ­revealing that a former pol­itician had been working with spies to “sell out” their country.

Condemning his hero, Dr Chalmers said the work of Mr Burgess and Senator Wong should not “be undermined or diminished”.

“I disagree strongly with him when it comes to his comments about Penny Wong and Mike Burgess,” the Treasurer said on Wednesday.

“All you will hear from me is full-throated support for their important work. I don’t think that work should be undermined or diminished.

“I value my friendship with Paul Keating. He’s not always right. And I think on these two ­occasions, he’s wrong.”

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Wong also responded to Mr Keating’s criticisms of her, which included a swipe at the Foreign Minister “sporting her deeply concerned frown’.

While Senator Wong said Mr Keating was entitled to his views, she indicated she did not appreciate being “lectured” to, particularly given she was born in South­east Asia.

“I don’t lose sleep over it but I would say this, it was a new position to be lectured about – whether or not I understood the country of my birth in Malaysia,” she told the Today Show. “But, you know, as I said, he’s entitled to it.”

Trade Minister Don Farrell – the leader of the South Australian Right – has historically had an uneasy relationship with Senator Wong but nonetheless he jumped to her defence.

“She’s been to virtually every country in the Pacific, every country in ASEAN. She’s doing a fantastic job. So when it comes to a difference of opinion between Paul and Penny, I go for Penny any day,” he told Sky News.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said Labor needed to distance itself from Mr Keating not only in this instance but going forwards.

Mr Keating made his comments during the ASEAN summit, arguing that Australia was out of step with other nations in the region when it came to China.

On Tuesday, Northern Territory Labor MP Luke Gosling told The Australian that “times had changed” since Mr Keating held office and the former prime minister was misguided in his assessment of Senator Wong and Mr Burgess.