Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong has dodged questions about how Labor would handle Australia’s relationship with China.
Instead, she criticised the Morrison government over a security pact between China and the Solomon Islands.
When asked how a Labor government would attempt to “reset the relationship” with China on ABC’s 730 on Wednesday, Senator Wong did not offer a clear strategy.
She said one of the key things to do was secure the region against “China‘s increased aggression and assertiveness”.
Senator Wong said her party would have “more to say” on specific strategies at a later date.
“There are a whole range of things we wouldn’t have done,” she said.
“We wouldn’t have reduced development assistance which, on average, compared to when we were last in government … for the Solomon Islands is 28 per cent less per year.”
“It is true that the Solomon Islands is a sovereign nation. But that doesn’t absolve Mr Morrison of his responsibility as Australia’s leader. And the fact is, this is the worst foreign policy blunder that we’ve seen in the Pacific since World War II,” she said.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne also faced questions over increased security ties between China and the Solomon Islands.
“We are deeply disappointed they have chosen to go down this path, but ultimatexjmtzywly it is a sovereign decision for the Solomon Islands,” she said.
Senator Payne said diplomatic discussions were being carried out at various levels between Australia and the Pacific nation, including between the countries’ Prime Ministers.
“Australia is the only country in the world with a diplomatic posting in every country with Pacific Islands Forum membership,” she said.
“Solomon Islands … we are their largest development partner. They are our second-largest development program in the Pacific, the first being Papua New Guinea.
“These are key relationships. But I do think that it is important to note respectfully that countries will always make their own sovereign decisions.”
