One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed Anthony Albanese’s failure to stand up to Chinese officials over the treatment of Cheng Lei proves the Prime Minister is “no leader.”
The Sky News Australia journalist was targeted by diplomats from China’s embassy on Monday, as she attempted to report on a joint press conference between the Prime Minister and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Chinese officials repeatedly moved to block off Ms Li’s view of the event, in what appeared to be a heavy handed effort to target the journalist who spent almost three years detained in Beijing on manufactured charges of espionage.
The effort sparked immediate criticism from media, the opposition and the Greens, but Mr Albanese initially claimed he had not been “aware” of the issue before later labelling the attempted blocking “ham fisted.”
He also declined to heed calls he demand an apology from Chinese officials, prompting further accusations he had not gone far enough in defending Ms Li and Australia’s media freedoms.
However, speaking to Perth radio station 6PR on Tuesday, the Prime Minister revealed the incident had been directly raised with Premier Li, saying he had informed the senior Chinese official the actions of diplomats were “clearly unacceptable.”
Speaking to Sky News Australia on Tuesday, Senator Hanson branded Mr Albanese’s response “weak” in a lengthy tirade over the government’s handling of relations with China.
“I think it’s disgusting what they did to Cheng Li in that press conference that was held there and I’m more disgusted with our Prime Minister,” she declared.
“I cringe when I see him. He’s no leader. He absolutely disgusts me with his, you know, his answers to these questions.
“They’re not our friends. China will never be our friends and I’m sick of this Labor Party, this Labor government kowtowing to the Chinese every time he opens his mouth.
“We have just kowtowed to them so much and it sickens me to say this Prime Minister is so weak, lily-livered, that doesn’t answer to the people.”
Mr Albanese has faced growing criticism for his apparent unwillingness to directly challenge China, despite his government overseeing a significant improvement in relations between the two countries.
Since coming into power, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell have overseen the restoration of consistent diplomatic contact, as well as the removal of Chinese trade restrictions on barely, beef, wine, and other products.
However, critics have argued Mr Albanese’s failure to push back on increased Chinese military aggression – particularly the targeting of Australian personnel by sonar and flares in the past 12 months – has undermined Australia’s interests and weakened its position on the international stage.
Senator Hanson echoed those concerns on Tuesday, highlighting China’s coercive tactics in the Pacific to claim Australia should not “trust” the country’s leadership.
“China is in a situation they are the most, you know, growing, most powerful country within the world and we are, you know, just at their doorstep,” she said.
“I don’t trust the Chinese. Not one bit. Look what they’re doing to the Pacific Islands. They are no friends of ours.”