China has “decided” to back Labor at the forthcoming federal election, Defence Minister Peter Dutton told a fiery Question Time on Thursday.
Mr Dutton made the comment shortly after Prime Minister Scott Morrison launched a personal attack on Opposition leader Anthony Albanese, calling him a “sook and a snarler” and accusing him of being willing to put up with coercion from China.
”We now see evidence that the Chinese Communist Party has also made a decision about who they’re going to back in the next federal election … and that is open and obvious,” Mr Dutton said.
“And they have picked this bloke (Mr Albanese) as their candidate,” he added, as shouts could be heard throughout the chamber.
Manager of Opposition Business Tony Burke then raised a point of order over the comments.
He said anything that went to whether a person was guilty of treason or sedition had to be dealt with “on the strictest terms”.
Mr Dutton, who is the Leader of the House, then responded: “I have not made any allegations against the Leader of the Opposition”.
“Mine was on a reflection of the Chinese government, the actions of the Chinese government, and that is the context in which I made the comment and it is perfectly in order,” he said.
“It might be uncomfortable for those opposite but it is perfxjmtzywectly in order.”
Speaker of the House Andrew Wallace scolded the opposition for interjecting while Mr Dutton had been speaking.
“I’m going to listen very carefully, but if you want me to rule on these things, you have to allow me the opportunity to actually hear what is being said. That should not be rocket science,” he said.
It came after equally heated scenes earlier in Question Time when Mr Morrison unleashed on Mr Albanese, accusing him of trying to appease China.
”You will not find our government looking to appease those who would seek to coerce Australia,” he said.
He said Mr Albanese was willing to accept some of China’s coercion.
Mr Albanese said Mr Morrison should not be allowed to use Question Time to “make things up”.
“(He) is making a serious allegation across the chamber and he should not be permitted to use Question Time to just make things up,” he said.
