Gladys Liu distances herself from Box Hill police event marking 70 years of Chinese Communist rule

Gladys Liu distances herself from police event marking 70 years of Chinese Communist Party rule.

Gladys Liu cuts the cake at a Melbourne event to mark the 70th anniversary of Chinese Communist Party rule.

Controversial Liberal MP Gladys Liu has distanced herself from the Box Hill Police Station’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of Chinese Communist Party rule, despite cutting the cake at a 70th anniversary event held minutes later.

The second event was hosted by a Chinese business association at the Box Hill Town Hall, 150m from the police station.

The Australian published a photograph of Ms Liu cutting the cake, alongside local state Labor MP Paul Hamer — who raised the Chinese flag at the police station event — and Whitehorse Mayor Bill Bennett and local state Liberal MP Neil Angus, both of whom were also present at the police station.

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As reported on Thursday, Ms Liu’s office told The Australian she had skipped Tuesday’s police station event, but attended a subsequent event at which the cake was cut.

Ms Liu issued a statement on Friday saying reports she had attended the event at Box Hill Police Station were incorrect.

“The image being circulated alongside the report is from an event at the Town Hall hosted by a local business association,” Ms Liu said.

“As I said in my Maiden Speech, I hope that my heritage and experience can contribute to a long and healthy relationship between Australia and China.

“As a Hong Kong-born Australian, I — along with many other Australians — am concerned by continuing reports of violence associated with protest activity in Hong Kong.

“Australia supports the right of people to protest peacefully and to exercise their freedom of speech, and we urge all sides to show restraint and avoid violence.”

During the police station event, Mr Hamer accepted an invitation to raise the flag, alongside an Australian flag, during a ceremony which also featured the singing of the Chinese national anthem.

Asked whether it had been appropriate to raise the flag of a foreign nation whose ruling political regime is notorious for human rights abuses and censorship, Mr Hamer said: “I represent a strong multicultural electorate and will always be proud of the contribution Chinese Australians have made and continue to make to my community and our State. I attended this event alongside Victoria Police, the local council and opposition.”

The Chinese flag above Box Hill police station.

Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien condemned the event, although it is not clear whether he realised Mr Angus was in attendance and Ms Liu was at the subsequent celebration.

“Does anybody think a police station in China would be flying the Australian flag on the 26th of January?” Mr O’Brien said.

“The answer is no, and clearly it’s absolutely inappropriate for any Victorian police station to be flying the Chinese flag. It’s the wrong message, it’s frankly embarrassing, and I think the police at senior levels should step in.”

The Australian has contacted Mr O’Brien’s office with questions regarding Mr Angus and Ms Liu’s participation.

Victorian Police chief commissioner Graham Ashton defended the ceremony as an attempt to engage with the local ethnic community, conceding police may need to reconsider holding any similar event next year.

Hey @VictoriaPolice. What’s going on at Box Hill police station? Chinese flag? PRC anthem? #auspol #springst pic.twitter.com/QCNJaMTHR7

— Hong Kong World City 🖐🏻🐉☔️ (@HKWORLDCITY) October 1, 2019

The move prompted questions from local residents who said it was inappropriate, as well as sparking concern among pro Hong Kong activists who tweeted footage of the flag being flown and the anthem sung, saying: “Hey @VictoriaPolice. What’s going on at Box Hill police station? Chinese flag? PRC anthem?”

Mr Ashton told ABC radio the ceremony was held in recognition of China’s national day and the beginning of local council Whitehorse’s Chinese New Year Festival.

“I haven’t heard about the anthem. I don’t know whether that was played. But certainly the flag was flown, and it’s been the last few years, I think, at the local station,” Mr Ashton said.

“They’ve got a good relationship with the local Chinese business community and they’ve been working in collaboration with the local council about the build-up for Chinese New Year and the kick-off for celebrations, and then the Chinese national day.”

Pressed over whether it was appropriate for the sovereign flag of a foreign nation, representative of a political party notorious for human rights abuses and censorship, to be flown at a Victorian police station, Mr Ashton said the event had more to do with “local relationships” than a celebration of the Chinese Communist Party.

“Box Hill has a very high population of Chinese residents and businesses, particularly Chinese-owned businesses, and I think the previous years we haven’t sort of heard ‘boo’ about it, but I think with the heightened awareness around the Hong Kong situation and what we know about some of the other more active situations at the moment, it’s probably something that the local station will have a think about for next year, I guess,” Mr Ashton said.

Local newspaper the Whitehorse Leader was contacted by residents who said they felt “very uncomfortable” about Victoria Police’s actions.

Box Hill resident Keith Wilkins said he and other locals did not believe it was appropriate for the Chinese flag to be flown.

“People are feeling quite uncomfortable,” Mr Wilkins said.

“What’s the purpose?”

“It needs to be understood what we’re trying to do.”

Whitehorse City Council flew the Chinese flag at Box Hill Town Hall to mark the same occasion in 2018.

Eastern Region divisional commander Supt Wayne Viney told the Whitehorse Leader the flag was raised as part of an event attended by the Whitehorse mayor, state and federal MPs and local business representatives.

“The flag raising ceremony honours the local police station’s strong relationship with the local Chinese community, retailers and local business stakeholders,” Mr Viney said.

“Box Hill police station acknowledges the significance of this flag to a particular portion of the community without seeking to cause prejudice or offence to others.

“Box Hill police work closely with their local community and the raising of the flag, for one day, represents the commitment Box Hill police has in acknowledging what is an important day for many in their local area.”